Karim Benzema has saved Real Madrid from an unexpected setback in La Liga. The French international and Europe’s Footballer of the Year scored the decisive goal on Sunday evening in a 3-1 (1-1) win at Espanyol Barcelona in the 88th and in injury time (90+10). This leaves Real Madrid top of the table following three wins in three games. ÖFB team crack David Alaba played at Real as a left-back.
Vinicius Junior (12′) gave the visitors the lead, Joselu (43′) equalized for Espanyol just before the break. In stoppage time, Barcelona goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte saw the red card for an emergency brake. Defender Fernando Carbrera had to go in goal because the exchange quota was exhausted. He conceded Benzema’s second goal.
In the Primera División table, Real Madrid are at the top following three rounds with a maximum of three points ahead of Betis Sevilla, who have the same number of points. FC Barcelona and Villarreal – opponents of Austria Wien in the UEFA Conference League – follow with seven points each in third and fourth place.
World footballer Robert Lewandowski had previously shown himself to be in a goal mood. The ex-Bayern striker scored twice for his new club in FC Barcelona’s 4-0 (2-0) win over Real Valladolid on Sunday. The 34-year-old first put the Catalans ahead at the Camp Nou in the 24th minute before making it 3-0 in the 64th minute. Shortly before the break, Pedri (43′) scored to make it 2-0, Sergi Roberto (90’+2) made the final score perfect. Most recently, Lewandowski had already scored twice in the 4-1 win over San Sebastian. Only in his league debut, the 0-0 draw once morest Vallecano, did the Polish international remain goalless.
