RODRYGO’S double has given Real Madrid a cushion in their huge title decider against Espanyol.
And his double has been added to by Marco Asensio to kick off Los Blancos’ title celebrations.
Isco also thought he’d helped Real put the cherry on top of the cake but his goal was ruled out for offside.
Karim Benzema started on the bench for the home team in a surprise move by Carlo Ancelotti – but he scored a late fourth after coming on.
- Start time: 3:15pm GMT
- TV/Live stream: LaLigaTV
- Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Vallejo, Casemiro, Marcelo; Modric, Ceballos, Camavinga; Asensio, Rodrygo, Diaz
- Espanyol XI: Lopez; Vidal, Gomez, Calero, Cabrera; Herrera, Darder, Vilhena; Melendo, Puado, De Tomas
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
Real Madrid 4-0 Espanyol
90 Only three more minutes of stoppage time to go until the grand fiesta!
Real fans can’t wait!
Real Madrid 4-0 Espanyol
88 The trophy is going back to Madrid at full-time.
The fans are doing the wave at the stands, the whole place is about to turn into a major party after the final whistle!
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Credit: GETTY IMAGES Real Madrid 4-0 Espanyol
85 Chance
Espanyol ace Darder delivers a long-range shot but Courtois saves with ease.
Merida follows up with another long-range shot after a few seconds but just misses the target.
The Santiago Bernabeu crowd are on their feet and loudly chanting as they wait to explode at full-time
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
83 Substitution
Espanyol manager Moreno introduces David Lopez, who takes Calero’s place
Real Madrid 4-0 Espanyol
Goal for Real Madrid with Benzema!
81 He just can’t stop scoring!
Vinicius Junior, who came on for Rodrygo, gets the ball down the left.
The Brazil international finds Benzema in the area where he is unmarked and beats Lopez with a fine shot
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
80 Chance
Espanyol ace Puado delivers a shot from the left and although his effort appears to be going off Courtois doesn’t take any risk as he lunges down his right to palm it away
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
80 Gila makes his Real Madrid senior debut this season as he comes on for Camavinga.
The 21-year-old appears to be playing at centre-back with Vallejo
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
77 Substitution
Espanyol manager Moreno makes another change as Merida takes Herrera’s place
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
75 Substitution
Real manager Ancelotti brings on youngster Gila to replace Camavinga
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
No goal!
74 VAR’s check reveals that Rodrygo was offside during Isco’s shot!
The Brazilian was blocking Espanyol keeper Lopez’s eyesight
Real Madrid 4-0 Espanyol
Goal for Real Madrid by Isco!
71 Real break into a counter-attack as Isco feeds Benzema down the right flank.
The striker finds Isco in the area and the latter’s shot beats Lopez, who got a touch with a lunge down his right.
But VAR is having a look for offside!
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
71 Chance!
Real come close to a fourth following some nice passing between Benzema and Isco.
They find Vazquez who breaks down the right but his shot just misses Lopez’s bottom right corner
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
70 Real’s possession has increased as Espanyol are without their top scorer De Tomas.
Manager Moreno appears to be saving him for the next matches
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
68 Real have sealed their 35th LaLiga title after Asensio’s goal.
All focus is now turned on Manchester City
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
65 Substitution
Espanyol manager Moreno makes a double change as Lei and Morlanes replace De Tomas and Vilhena respectively
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
65 Chance!
Espanyol come close as Kroos, out of all people, is dispossessed in the area and Darder breaks down the right.
The midfielder delivers a low ball past Courtois where De Tomas is but Vazquez clears it right in the nick of time
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
63 It makes sense for Ancelotti to take Modric and Casemiro out as he wil need them against Manchester City.
But it’s quite risky bringing Benzema in for such a formality of a match.
Remember, the striker is 34 years old and has dealt with injury this season
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
60 Substitution
Real manager Ancelotti makes a triple switch as Benzema, Kroos and Isco replace Diaz, Modric and Casemiro respectively
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
58 Check is over by VAR and there is no penalty for Espanyol.
It did look like Vidal was tackled by Marcelo however…
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
Goal for Real Madrid with Asensio!
55 Real break into a counter-attack with Camavinga leading the run and passing to Asensio down his right.
The forward beats Lopez with ease and registers his 10th league goal of the season.
However, VAR may have to have a look as it appeared like Vidal was wiped out inside Real’s area in the build-up
Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol
55 Espanyol are still pushing for a goal with De Tomas and Vidal.
But there is no jeopardy at Real
Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol
53 Real are slowly waking up after a poor start.
But they have obviously not lost any bit of that confidence earned after Rodrygo’s brace
Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol
51 Chance
Real ace Asensio tries a long-range effort but misses the target, doesn’t worry Lopez at all
Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol
50 A slow start by Real reminiscent of their poor performance in the first half before the half-hour mark.
Espanyol are showing intent having already missed two major opportunities to score
Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol
48 Chance!
Espanyol come close again with a free-kick from Vilhena down the right flank this time.
And it almost leads to an own goal as Diaz gets his foot on the way and the ball just misses Courtois’ top right corner.
Mariano is just having a mare today, really wasting a rare opportunity to prove himself in Benzema’s place
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
