(AFP) - Real Madrid achieved the desired title holder when it overturned its deficit against its guest, Espanyol, to an outright 3-1 victory, led by its Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior, who temporarily reduced the difference to six points with leaders Barcelona, Saturday, in the twenty-fifth stage of the Spanish League . for football.
This is the first victory for the royal team after two draws in the last two matches with Atletico Madrid and Real Betis, the competitors to qualify for the European championships, and between them a loss against Barcelona 0-1 in the first leg of the cup semi-finals, knowing that the latter is looking for its first title in the league since 2019, as a guest at Athletic Bilbao Sunday, before the expected Clasico with Real next week.
The 14-time European champion played the match in the absence of his French striker Karim Benzema (35 years), the best player in the world, due to an ankle injury, as his Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti preferred not to risk involving him in anticipation of the upcoming summit against his guest Liverpool, England, on Wednesday, in the second leg of the Champions League final. Europe (5-2 back).
Ancelotti made three changes to his squad, which tied with Betis, missing the injured Benzema and replacing him with veteran Croatian Luka Modric. Vinicius Junior and his compatriot Rodrigo played in the foreground alongside the Uruguayan Federico Valverde, Dani Carvajal returned to the right-back position instead of Lucas Vasquez, and Nacho Fernandez played instead of the German Antonio Rudiger in the heart of the defense.
Surprisingly, Joselo opened the scoring early with a wonderful left shot into the far top corner of the Belgian spectator Thibaut Courtois, after receiving a cross from the right by Robin Sanchez, who beat Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga (8).
With an individual effort, Vinicius Jr. dribbled on the left side, before deceiving the defense with a cross sweep and a surprise ground shot into the far left corner of goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco (23). The talented player raised his score to 19 goals with Real this season in various competitions.
Ancelotti praised Vinicius, who became the club's top scorer in various competitions this season, ahead of Benzema, and said in the press conference after the match, "His behavior was perfect. He said nothing and played very well. He must continue in this way."
For his part, Nacho said, "They embarrassed us a bit with their early goal, but the match gives us confidence to face a complicated week."
"When the space opens up, we are a team with players who are very quick in attack (to take advantage of it)," he added.
Real turned the score around with a clever pass from French midfielder Aurelien Choameni, who reversed it with a strong cross, with the help of the crossbar, the heart of Brazilian defense Eder Militao (39). Militao scored all six of his goals for Real Madrid in the league with his head, including four this season.
And in the third minute of stoppage time, substitute Marco Asensio planted a third goal for Real Madrid, with a beautiful left kick from inside the area, after an effort from Nacho (90 + 3).
Valverde almost added the fourth seconds later, but his powerful shot was pushed by the goalkeeper into a corner.
Real calmed down from the rhythm of the match and brought it to safety, before devoting itself to Wednesday’s match against Liverpool, England, in the second leg of the Champions League final, armed with a great victory over its opponent 5-2 in the first leg.
Midfielder Titi Morente saved his last-placed Elche team from losing to its host Valladolid by equalizing in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Valladolid was on its way to achieving its second successive victory, and its ninth this season, when it advanced with a goal to its Canadian striker, Seal Laran, from the fourth minute, but Morente prevented him from that and saved his team from the seventeenth loss this season.
Elche raised its score to 13 points in last place, compared to 28 points for Valladolid XIII.
Celta Vigo scored a big victory over its guest, Rayo Vallecano, by three clean goals, which were scored by captain Yago Aspas (51 and 85) and Senegalese Bath Cess (a mistake in his team's goal).
Celta Vigo rose to eleventh place, with 31 points, compared to 35 points for seventh Rayo Vallecano.
And Valencia achieved a valuable victory over its guest, Osasuna, with a single goal scored by Dutchman Justin Kluivert (74).
Hugo Horo missed a penalty kick for Valencia in the first minute of stoppage time.
It is the second victory for Valencia in its last three matches and the seventh this season, so it got rid of the penultimate nineteenth place, advancing to the sixteenth temporarily with 26 points, while Osasuna’s balance was frozen at 34 points in eighth place.
Osasuna completed the match with ten players, after midfielder Aimar Uros was sent off in the 86th minute.
Sunday also meets Real Mallorca with Real Sociedad, Seville with Almeria, and Villarreal with Real Betis, to conclude on Monday with Girona's meeting with Atletico Madrid.