Real Madrid traveled to Cornella to face RCD Espanyol as they looked to consolidate their spot on the third rung of the table while Espanyol was playing for their first victory against the Los Blancos since 2007.
The first half was largely a drab affair peppered with a few changes here and there for both the teams. However, in the second half, Espanyol started to take charge of the game as Real Madrid struggled to penetrate a motivated Espanyol defense.
Espanyol finally grabbed a winner courtesy Gerard Moreno in the 93rd minute of the game to register a historic victory against their opponents, one that has come after a hiatus of eleven years.
Without further ado, let's take a look at how the players rated for the two sides:
RCD Espanyol
Diego Lopez: 7/10
The former Real Madrid custodian was a solid presence at the back. He was called into action quite often and did well on all occasions. He made excellent stops throughout the match to keep his team in the game.
Marc Navarro: 7/10
The full-back had a pretty solid game for his team. He did not allow anyone on his inside, neither did he allow Nacho to flourish on the overlap. Attacking, he did not venture up much, but who can demand more after such a solid showing at the back.
Oscar Duarte: 8/10
The center-back, like his defensive partners, was always alert to the dangers Real Madrid players posed to his goal and was ever-ready to deal with them. He never gave an inch of space to anyone in and around the penalty box.
Naldo: 8/10
Naldo put in a good performance as he was constantly in the way of Bale and company, keeping them at bay for the majority of the game. He made a string of important interceptions and tackles to keep Espanyol in the game.
Aaron Martin: 6/10
Aaron Martin defended his team's left flank quite diligently. He was tentative and always ready to go into a tackle. However, he was quite often overwhelmed by the overlapping Vazquez and Achraf combo. Attacking he ventured up quite a few times and delivered some delicious crosses.
Sergi Darder: 6/10
Playing as a right-winger on the night, his attacking input during his time on the pitch was next to nothing. However, he more than made up for it by tracking back and covering the runs of Nacho.
Pablo Piatti: 6/10
The pacey winger had a quite different role to play tonight. He was asked to play inside his own half without seeing much of the ball. He did that very well along with turning defense into attack quickly to the best of his limited ability.
Carlos Sanchez: 8/10
The defensive midfielder was quite combative in the middle of the park. He screened his defense well and never did shy away from a tackle. He was the glue that held his team while attacking. His distribution was efficient and eye-catching.
Victor Sanchez: 6/10
The former Barcelona midfielder put in a great performance in the middle of the park. He tracked back to defend when not in possession and then went ahead to support his teammates with equal enthusiasm.
Sergio Garcia: 7/10
Garcia constantly troubled the Madrid backline with his physicality, pace, and hold-up play for his teammates. However, he did lack sharpness in the opposition’s penalty box in the first half. He provided the assist for the winner.
Gerard Moreno:8/10
Very much like his attacking teammates, he was a bit anonymous in the first half. However, in the second half, he was absolutely sensational as he hit the target with a peach of a strike. He troubled Madrid's center-backs quite a bit and looked sharp and involved.
Substitutes:
Leo Baptistao: 6/10
He was brought on in the second half to add more attacking impetus to the home side's game, which he did. His introduction saw Espanyol attack with a fixed a target man.
Estaban Granero: 6/10
He was brought on for Victor Sanchez with twenty minutes left to play. With an important role to play, he continued Sanchez's good work in the middle of the park as he closed down spaces behind and in front of him with pace.
Real Madrid
Keylor Navas - 7/10
He had one of the busier days of his career between the posts. Espanyol was threatening and they did break his resolve towards the end of the match, with a sweetly struck strike into the top corner. He could have done little about the goal after having undone by his defense.
Achraf Hakimi - 7/10
The Morracan was full of energy as he bombarded up and down with pace. He was solid defensively and always available for a pass. However, his end product was not particularly at the level Real fans have been accustomed to as Real struggled to break Espanyol's defense.
Raphael Varane - 7/10
The French international looks to have regained his peak form after a slow start to the season. He was always ready at the back, aware of all the incoming dangers and had his sleeves up to it. He dominated Espanyol attackers in the air and was quite solid when put one on one.
Sergio Ramos - 7/10
Ramos had a decent game as he dominated and won everything that came his way in the air. He won headers, made blocks, and clearances while being a calm head in the heart of the Real Madrid's defense.
Nacho Hernandez - 6/10
He did fairly well against Dardar and defended well in general and was probably the best Madrid defender of the night. Offensively, he could not venture up the pitch with the regularity of a seasoned full-back.
Marcos Llorente - 7/10
The Spaniard gave a good defensive display in the middle of the park as he won everything coming his way. He broke up plays and initiated attacks. He has presented a good case for his spot in the team.
Isco - 6/10
The young Spaniard ran the show for Madrid in the first half. He floated all over the pitch and sprayed passes with varying ranges to his teammates. However, he did fade away in the second half and was replaced by Benzema.
Mateo Kovacic - 7/10
Kovacic has seen his game improve by leaps and bound this season. Today was no different. He sprayed passes throughout the pitch and delivered tempting lay-offs for his teammates. However, it was just not enough to unlock Espanyol's defense.
Asensio - 6/10
Asensio, quite simply stated, had an underwhelming game. He was quite active in the first half and created good chances for himself as well as his teammates. However, he vanished in the second half which hurt Real's chances of a win.
Gareth Bale- 6/10
Gareth Bale looked dangerous with the ball but his finishing radar was quite off. He was involved in the build-ups and looked sharp. He often dropped deep to help his midfield and combined well with his teams mates.
Lucas Vazquez - 5/10
Vazquez could not win the match for Real Madrid and his performance was not quite up to the standards he has set for himself. He missed a lot of opportunities to set up his teammates, and generally, his final deliveries were quite over/under-hit.
Substitutes
Karim Benzema - 6/10
He was introduced in place of Isco but he, for all his efforts, could not change the game in Madrid's favor.
Dani Ceballos - 4/10
Brought on with nine minutes to go, he did not have enough time to affect the game offensively. However, he was caught ball watching as he lost Gerard Moreno on the edge of the box when Espanyol scored.
Borja Mayoral - N/A
