Real Madrid beats Espanyol 3-1, eyes Liverpool and clasico

By JOSEPH WILSON The Associated Press
Real Madrid's Eder Militao celebrates after he scored his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Bernat Armangue]

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Vinícius Júnior sparked Real Madrid’s 3-1 comeback over Espanyol in the Spanish league. Joselu Mato put Espanyol ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu in the eighth minute. But Vinícius equalized in the 22nd before Éder Militão headed Madrid in front for good in the 39th. Substitute Marco Asensio added a third goal in stoppage time as Madrid ended a three-game winless run between the league and the Copa del Rey. Carlo Ancelotti’s team reduced Barcelona’s lead to six points before the front-runners visit Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Karim Benzema missed the game as he rested to recover from an ankle problem before next week’s game against Liverpool in the Champions League.

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