Real Madrid earn comeback win against Espanyol; in second place chasing Spanish leaders Barcelona

ANKARA

Real Madrid secured a 4-1 comeback win Saturday against Espanyol to chase Spanish La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Visitors Espanyol took a 1-0 lead in the second half after Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois scored an own goal to silence the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium crowd in Madrid.

In minute 54, experienced goalie Courtois diverted Espanyol winger Jofre Carreras' low cross into the Real Madrid net.

Real Madrid leveled in the 58th minute when Spanish right-back Dani Carvajal scored an empty goal in the six-yard box.

The Whites took the lead after Brazilian winger Rodrygo's close-range finish in the 75th minute.

Brazil star Vinicius Junior added a third goal on a quick counter-attack in the 78th minute to cement the win.

French superstar Kylian Mbappe scored on a late penalty as Real Madrid bagged a huge win in the Spanish capital.

The 4-1 win has taken the Whites to the second spot in the league table as Real Madrid have 14 points in six matches.

Bitter rivals Barcelona have a match in hand as the Spanish leaders, which won all of their five matches have a perfect run in the 2024-25 La Liga campaign. They will travel Sunday to Villarreal.