Espanyol had only won once in seven games this season, but they grimly held out in five minutes of stoppage time to take all three points.
Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema reacts after missing a goal chance against RCD Espanyol. AP photo
Madrid: Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat at Espanyol on Sunday when Carlo Ancelotti’s side suffered a defeat in their first league defeat of the season after a shocking loss in the Champions League / p> Real, who lost to Moldovan minnows Sheriff Tiraspol on Tuesday, missed the chance to overtake Atletico Madrid, who beat troubled Barcelona 2-0 on Saturday and drew level with their city rivals with 17 points.
» We need to use the international break to think about why this team’s attitude has changed within a week. «
Espanyol took the lead after 17 minutes at the RCDE Stadium in Catalonia when Raul de Tomas hit the net.
Aleix Vidal scored a scintillating second goal after shooting Nacho with nutmeg and throwing the ball past Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after 15 minutes of the second half.
The Losing leaves Real in three games without a win after Villarreal held a goalless draw in their previous league game.
Karim Benzema had the ball in the net at the beginning of the second half, but the goal was ruled offside for Luka Jovic.
Just as Espanyol seemed to want to extend their lead again, Benzema scored a goal back in the 71st minute and shot into the bottom corner after the Frenchman conceded a pass from Jovic for his ninth league goal in eight games this season. </ Espanyol had only won once in seven games this season, but in five minutes of stoppage time they held out grim to take all three points.
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October 04, 2021 12:38:55 AM
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The win puts Real Madrid two points ahead of Atletico at the top of La Liga while Sevilla climb to third place after previously losing 3-1 to Valencia.
Koeman’s position is fragile after Barca drew 1-1 at home to Granada in LaLiga last week after a 3-0 loss to Bayern in the Champions League, with a scrutiny of the team’s tactics and style .
Real Madrid are unbeaten this season after winning five and drawing one of the top six in all competitions under coach Carlo Ancelotti.
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