Real Madrid 4-0 Espanyol summary: score, goals, highlights LaLiga 2021-22

Real Madrid win the 2021-22 LaLiga title

The Madrid bench are poised to sprint onto the pitch as the game ends..... Real Madrid win 4-0 and more importantly win their 35h league title

We'll have three minutes of added time. 

After celebrating with the fans at the Bernabeu, the squad will then embark on the journey down the Paseo de la Castellana to Cibeles where a horde of Madridistas await their idols and the party will go on long into the night.

The home fans now counting down the minutes and unlike previous years, the team will be presented with the LaLiga trophy today.

The fans have popped the corks and celebrate every pass now. So, so good to have fans back after pretty much an 18 month absence and these supporters were unable to celebrate title no. 34 en masse.

Benzema gets on the scoresheet

Goal No. 26 for the French striker

Benzema bags his 26th goal in LaLiga this season. The French striker is like a fine wine .....

Goooooool.This one counts as Vini feeds the French striker who makes no mistake from deep inside the box.

Espanyol go close as Puado forces Courtois into action and once again the Belgian is alert and forces the ball wide for a corner.

Vini Jr sets off on one of his characteristic mazy runs but fails to find Isco with the pass. 

Herrera off with Merida on for Espanyol

Less than 15' on the clock as Real Madrid fans begin to flock towards Cibeles for the title celebrations.

Changes for Real Madrid:

Off: Camavinga and Rodrygo

On: Vini Jr and Gila

The goal is ruled out....

As we were with 3-0

Hold fire... the ref has been altered to something in the lead up to the goal and it looks like Rodrygo strayed into an offside position.

Isco makes no mistake in picking his spot and drills into the corner to bag his second goal of the season in LaLiga.

Vazquez goes agonizingly close after excellent work from Ceballos. Almost 4-0 for the home side with the Galician clipping the ball just wide.

Just over 20' remain at the Bernabeu and Madrid enjoying the bulk of possession again after a brief burst from Espanyol. The home fans really enjoying things now as the sun comes out and a long evening and night of celebrations beckons. 

Changes for Espanyol:

Off: RDT and Vilhena

On: Morlanes and Wu Lei

Espanyol almost pull one back as Kroos is caught out and Lucas Vazquez makes a goal line save.

Real Madrid just need to ensure that all key personell come through the rest of today's game injury free. 

Past the hour mark as Courtois is forced to save well from Vidal as Vini Jr begins to warm up for the home side.

Triple change: Kroos, Benzema and Isco on.

Off: Modric, Mariano, Casemiro

Changes for Real Madrid imminent with Benzema set to make an entrance....

Asensio seals it

Asensio makes it 3!!!!!!

Espanyol have been bright today but lack a final thrust with Courtois never really threatened in this, almost hour of action at the Bernabeu. Vidal seems to be in trouble for Espanyol.

That was the closest that Espanyol have come to scoring today with Courtois totally beaten and the ball going milimetres over the bar.

Kroos and Benzema warming up as Espanyol almost score as Mariano almost sends the ball into his own goal.

RDT takes the kick himself and the ball goes inches wide.

Casemiro carded for scything down De Tomas and gets the second card of the game

No changes at the break as the home side start the action

The teams return to the pitch and the men in white get a warm round of applause from the Santiago Bernabeu crowd.

With Real Madrid just 45' away from title No. 35, fans have already starting turning up in Cibeles , the square in central Madrid where the club traditionally celebrates major titles. This is the first time fans can gather in major numbers since pandemic restrictions were lifted. 

A possible handball from Vazquez is being checked by VAR....Nothing going and it's half time with the Bernabeu enjoying things now after a nervy start.

Rodrygo with two goals has the home side in complete control.

Madrid playing with a different level now as Espanyol are rattled after enjoying the better of the opening 30 minutes of the game. We'll have three minutes of added time.

Mariano carded for leading with his elbow

Worry now as Rodrygo gets a ball in the face and falls to the ground. Madrid medics trying to treat the Brazilian who gradually gets to his feed and seems a little dazed from the impact of the shot.

Darder getting attention as the Bernabeu crowd start to enjoy their afternoon now. One senses that that opening goal was badly needed to get rid of any big game tension.

Chants of 'Campeones, campeones' ring out at the Bernabeu as the Rodrygo goal breaks the ice in what was becoming a tense affair after a slow start from Madrid.

Real Madrid take a step towards the title as Rodrygo opens the scoring at the Bernabeu

A goal 'Made in Brazil' as Marcelo finds his compatriot as he slots into the corner to bag his second of the season in the league.

We pass the 30 minute mark and, as things stand with the score at 0-0, Real Madrid will be 2021-22 LaLiga champions.

Real Madrid lacking the usual level of intensity and much of this due to the large amount of changes employed by coach Ancelotti with Wednesday's City game looming large on the horizon.

Moment of worry for Madrid as Ceballos falls to the ground ...after a few seconds on the ground the man from Seville gets to his feet and seems okay to continue.

Modric feeds Mariano and the striker heads over after a sublime pass from the Croatian central player.

RDT shoots and forces Courtois into action who was well positioned to palm the ball away from the danger zone.

Possession after 20: RMCF 41%-59% Espanyol

Twenty minutes gone at the Bernabeu and Espanyol are enjoying the better of the game but it's the home side who have gone closest to scoring after Mariano rattled the post with a header.

Nadal at the Bernabéu

The Spanish tennis star was the guest of honour at the Santiago Bernabéu today as he prepares to play in the Madrid Open tennis tournament in the capital. Nadal is a self-confessed Real Madrid fan.

Diego Lopez forced into action as Madrid almost open the scoring through a Mariano header which rocks the post

Espanyol now enjoying the better of the game after a bright start from the home side. The Catalan side haven't scored at the Bernabeu since 2014 !

Espanyol finally securing a foothold in the game as we hit the ten minute mark.  

Chant of "Cristiano, Cristiano" now as the fans send a message of support to the former player after losing his son recently.

The habitual 7th minute 'Illa Illa Illa Juanito Maravilla' chant rings out as the fans remember one of the Bernabeu icons from the past.

The home side enjoying all the possession in the opening stage with Espanyol pegged back deep inside their own half look to strike on the break as Melendo shoots from distance but wins a corner for his side.

The inclusion of Modric today seems to have ruffled some feathers on social media, with many feeling that if any player needs a rest ahead of Wednesday's game , it's the 36-year-old Croatian.

A reminder of the teams should you just be joining us... Plenty of changes for the home side with Ancelotti anxious to rest men ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final return leg against Man City. Guardiola's men are in action later tonight and travel to face Leeds United.

Espanyol start the action

A minutes silence to mark a former Real Madrid player and Colombian Rincon and we're all set....

Who doesn't love Rafa Nadal?

There's a nervous anticipation at the Bernabeu today with most fans anticipating the point that would see 'Los Blancos' crowned champions. Madrid too will be anxious not to lose any players ahead of Wednesday as Rafa Nadal takes to the pitch and receives an ovation from the fans.

The players are in the tunnel, Real Madrid in their iconic all white kit as Rafa Nadal greets every player...the tennis star is a massive Real Madrid fan and will conduct today's honorary kick-off. Espanyol, today in their all blue away kit.

A small number of Espanyol fans populate the away end high in the fourth tier of the north stand. Both clubs (and fans) enjoy an excellent relationship with many Espanyol fans having an affinity for Real Madrid in an alliance against the common 'enemy' of FC Barcelona.

It's a packed house at the Bernabeu today (approx 60,000) with capacity currently reduced due to the ongoing renovation works.

Real Madrid vs Espanyol: match weather

It's a bright but muggy day in the Spanish capital with a thunderstorm expected during the next few hours with thunder already rumbling in parts of the city.

A mild day with a temperature of 21C/70F anticipated at kick-off.

Madrid fans hoping that corner flags will be updated today with the 34 changed for a 35, representing the league titles won by the Santiago Bernabeu outfit.

Despite an indifferent run of form, Espanyol, whilst not mathematically safe, can be quietly confident that the RCDE Stadium will be hosting top flight football next season.

Madrid come into today's game in solid form in LaLiga with morale boosting wins away to Sevilla and Osasuna sandwiched between their Champions League outings and despite defeats to Chelsea and City last Tuesday, never bet against 'Los Blancos' at the Bernabeu on a big European night.

Soccer

Madrid’s Cibeles gets ready ahead of anticipated LaLiga title win

RCD XI

Espanyol finally confirm their starting line-up for today's clash at the Bernabeu with former Real Madrid Castilla star Raul de Tomas leading the line for 'Los Perequitos.

It's also a Madrid return for Diego Lopez who returns to play against his former club as does Embarba who was released by Real Madrid as a youth player for being 'too short'.

Real Madrid absentees

Both Nacho and Militao are suspended for today's clash and they join Jovic, Hazard, Alaba and Bale who are ruled out through injury. The Welsman dropping out of the squad late on Friday night complaining of back issues.

Espanyol absentees

Keidi Bare and Oscar Gil are out through injury for Espanyol with Pedrosa a late casualty for the Catalan side after coming down with a bout of gastroenteritis.

Real Madrid-Espanyol (pre-match)

Speaking to the media pre-game, Ancelotti does not seem too worried about a title party hangover however and believes winning LaLiga would be a great way to boost morale before the return leg.

“If we are able to win the title on Saturday, of course we will celebrate because I think it will help us for the Man City game,” Ancelotti said after Tuesday’s clash at the Etihad.

Real Madrid-Espanyol: pre-match

Speaking to media ahead of Saturday’s clash, former Real Madrid and current Espanyol striker Raúl de Tomás admitted that a draw would suit both sides.

The striker maintained that irrespective of the player selected by Ancelotti, Real Madrid are: “dangerous opponents no matter who plays”. A point is enough for them to be champions and they will field an eleven with substitutes with their minds set on the second leg of the Champions League against City. “The idea has to be to play as we did against Atlético de Madrid, where we played a great game even though we didn’t win. A draw would be good for Madrid and Espanyol. We will go out to win, but a point would be good. We are going to the leader’s ground, one of the best in the category”, he concluded.

A 35th LaLiga win today would cement Real Madrid's place as the most successful side in Spanish football when it comes to domestic league wins. 'Los Blancos' are currently on 34 league wins, well ahead of FC Barcelona's 26 with Atleti on 11 title wins. Athletic and Valencia complete the top five ranking with 8 and 6 wins respectively.

Title party planned at Bernabéu and Cibeles

If Madrid do clinch the championship today, it is being reported in the Spanish media that the team will lift the LaLiga trophy immediately after the final whistle, before parading it around the Bernabéu. The players will then make their way to the Plaza de Cibeles, the square in central Madrid where the club traditionally celebrate major silverware with their supporters. It would be the first LaLiga win that Madrid have been able to enjoy alongside their fans since 2017: because of covid-19 restrictions, they clinched their most recent championship, in 2019/20, in a behind-closed-doors game against Villarreal - and there was no title party at Cibeles.

This week, Madrid city council has been busy preparing the square for potential festivities, and José Luis Martínez-Almeida, the capital’s Real-supporting mayor, certainly appears confident that Madridistas will be flooding Cibeles come Saturday evening. Speaking on Thursday, Martínez-Almeida did his level best to tempt fate, describing a title win against Espanyol as “almost certain”.

Barcelona’s surprise defeat to Rayo Vallecano last weekend means Real Madrid need just a point at home against Espanyol on Saturday to seal their 35th LaLiga title.

Barça, the only team left who can catch the league leaders, were beaten 1-0 at the Camp Nou on Sunday, leaving them 15 points off the top with five games to play. The Blaugrana’s 4-0 win over Madrid in March handed them the head-to-head advantage over their arch rivals, so if the teams were to finish level on points, Barça would win the championship. But, starting with Espanyol’s visit to the Bernabéu this weekend, Madrid only have to avoid defeat in one of their remaining games to prevent that from happening.

RM XI

Carlo Ancelotti names his side for today's clash with plenty of players being rested ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City. 

Marcelo captains the side and Jesus Vallejo makes a rare appearance in the defensive line. Rodrygo and Mariano lead the line and interesting to see Luka Modric starting with the Croatian central player delivering incredible performance after incredible performance at the ripe old age of 36.

REAL MADRID - ESPANYOL

Espanyol last tasted victory at the Bernabéu in 1996

A solitary point will see Real Madrid crowned as league champions for the 35th time and the last time Espanyol secured a win at the Bernabéu, one has to go back to 1996 where Jordi Lardin bagged a brace for the side from the Catalan capital as part of a 1-2 win.

The action in the Spanish capital gets underway at 16:15 (local time) or 10:15 (ET)

Hello and welcome to our live coverage as Real Madrid host Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabéu in match-day 35 of LaLiga Santander (2021-22).