Spanish Football News Blog

Real Madrid had their first chance on goal just six minutes into the game, when a corner from the right was targeted at the near post, Albiol headed the ball into the six-yard box and Metzelder, from no more than two yards out, could not connect to the ball cleanly and sent it over the bar.

The hosts responded in the 19th minute, when Nakamura whipped in a free-kick from the right, Luis Garcia headed it down to Moises but his shot from point blank range was denied by Casillas with his feet.

Espanyol were dominant at this stage, and looked again for the goal seven minutes later as Joan Verdu recovered the ball in Real Madrid's own half before firing from distance but he saw his effort going over the bar.

On 31 minutes, Espanyol created more danger as Ivan Alonso crossed to the far post for Tamudo. The striker still dived to get his head to it but he arrived too late.

The Periquitos had another great chance on 35 minutes, when Luis Garcia clipped the ball into the area, Casillas left his post but could not get to the ball and Arbeloa cleared the ball from danger just when Ivan Alonso was about to score.

Real Madrid responded right after and almost broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. Guti sent a high ball to Kaka, who chested it down to compatriot Marcelo but the left-back's shot was denied by Kameni's right arm.

But the Merengues would find the goal in the following attack, when Granero played a one-two with Kaka before sending the ball into the bottom right hand corner of Espanyol's goal.

Espanyol made two changes at the break, replacing Ivan Alonso and Nakamura with Coro and De la Pena, hoping they would freshen up the attack, but there was little sign of danger near Casillas' goal in the first minutes.

There were plenty of spaces for both teams to play on, but the truth was that the second half was having anything but the intensity of the first period.

Cristiano Ronaldo was brought on in the 66th minute and showed his intent just two minutes later, when his free-kick effort went into Kameni's hands after a slight deflection in the wall.

Real Madrid doubled their lead on 76 minutes, when Kaka cut inside near the byline before feeding the ball back for Guti, who was free in the penalty area and made no mistake with a low finish.

But there was still time for more and Real Madrid would score a third in added time as Guti played Ronaldo through down the right and the Portuguese star concluded with a cheeky finish between the legs of Kameni.

Source: goal.com