The match was temporarily stopped because of racist chanting.© AFP

Real Madrid stumbled to a shock 1-0 defeat at struggling Espanyol on Sunday which left them leading La Liga by a single point. Carlos Romero’s 85th minute strike snatched victory for the relegation-battling hosts, provisionally 17th. Atletico Madrid pulled within a point of Los Blancos with a 2-0 win against Mallorca earlier, ahead of next weekend’s crunch derby clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid were left furious after Romero was only booked for a cynical foul on Kylian Mbappe before going on to net the winner.

However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side played far within themselves and did not do enough to take anything from what seemed on paper an inviting fixture.

“Espanyol played a very good game in my opinion, they defended very well, they did what they had to do. Could we have done more? Yes,” Ancelotti told reporters.

The Italian coach was angry about the decision not to send off Romero.

“This foul, the decision the referee and VAR took was inexplicable, everyone saw it,” continued the coach.

“It’s important to protect the players. It was a clear foul, a very ugly tackle, lucky there’s no serious injury.

“To us it’s inexplicable that they didn’t send him off.”

Romero admitted he felt bad about scything down the French superstar.

“I knew Kylian is impossible to stop when he’s running, I stopped him how I could, it was a bit ugly,” Romero told DAZN.

“I didn’t like doing it and I said sorry. That’s it and there’s no more to it.”

Espanyol largely kept the Spanish and European champions at bay in the first half.

Real Madrid were dealt a blow when Antonio Rudiger limped off in the first half, with their Champions League play-off tie against Manchester City less than a fortnight away.

Vinicius Junior found the net with Madrid’s only chance but it was ruled out after Mbappe was adjudged to have fouled his marker.

Jofre Carreras had a low shot saved by Thibaut Courtois at the other end on a rare Espanyol attack.

Madrid looked sharper at the start of the second half and Espanyol stopper Joan Garcia saved from Jude Bellingham and then Mbappe struck the post from a tight angle.

Los Blancos were furious when Romero was only booked for a cynical slide tackle from behind to hack down Mbappe as he broke over the halfway line.

Rodrygo jinked away from Romero before firing into the side netting and had another effort saved, while Garcia tipped away a vicious Mbappe strike as Madrid turned the screw.

The visitors were shocked by a swift Espanyol counter-attack which led to the breakthrough, with Omar El Hilali crossing for Romero to volley home at the back post.

Los Blancos did not create much danger in seven minutes of added time and Espanyol’s fans celebrated with abandon when Mbappe lashed over a late effort to end the game.

“This win is so important for us, we had to suffer… we knew we had to do it in front of our fans,” added Romero.

‘Very happy’

Atletico Madrid secured a comfortable win over Mallorca to put the pressure on, ahead of Real’s match.

Samuel Lino slid home in the 26th minute after a strong driving run by Giuliano Simeone, son of Atletico’s coach Diego Simeone.

Antoine Griezmann, who started the game on the bench, produced a superb lobbed finish to net the second in stoppage time and delight the Metropolitano stadium.

Atletico coach Simeone was able to celebrate his 500th La Liga match with the three points.

“I’m very happy for this journey, no doubt… it makes me very happy,” he told reporters.

The Rojiblancos dominated the first half with Julian Alvarez impressing and Alexander Sorloth going close before Lino sent them ahead.

Mallorca, seventh, forged some chances of their own after the break in a tighter second period which was finally settled when Griezmann struck with a delightful chip.

On Sunday Barcelona, third, host Alaves as they try to keep on the tail of the top two.

Espanyol vs Real Madrid LIVE Streaming, La Liga 2024-25: La Liga leaders Real Madrid take on relegation-battling Espanyol in their 22nd league game of the season. Real Madrid are in red-hot form, having won five games in a row in all competitions, and enter the game with a four-point lead at the top of La Liga. Forwards Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo have enjoyed great form in recent weeks, while Vinicius Jr is also expected to re-enter the playing XI after missing the midweek Champions League tie against Brest due to suspension. Espanyol sit in 18th spot, having managed only 20 points from their 21 games so far. Earlier in the season, Real Madrid beat Espanyol 4-1.

Espanyol vs Real Madrid LIVE Streaming details, La Liga 2024-25 LIVE Telecast: Check Where and How to Watch?

When will the Espanyol vs Real Madrid, La Liga match take place?

The Espanyol vs Real Madrid, La Liga match will take place on Sunday, February 2 (IST).

Where will the Espanyol vs Real Madrid, La Liga match be held?

The Espanyol vs Real Madrid, La Liga match will be held at the RCDE Stadium, Barcelona.

What time will the Espanyol vs Real Madrid, La Liga match start?

The Espanyol vs Real Madrid, La Liga match will start at 1:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Espanyol vs Real Madrid, La Liga match?

The Espanyol vs Real Madrid, La Liga match will not be televised live in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Espanyol vs Real Madrid, La Liga match?

The Espanyol vs Real Madrid, La Liga match will not be live streamed in India due to technical issues faced by broadcasters GXR World this weekend. In USA, watch the match on Fubo (free trial), or catch it on ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, DirecTV Stream.

(All details are as per information shared by the broadcaster)

Vinicius Junior’s decisive impact helped a “much faster” Real Madrid come from behind to beat Espanyol 4-1 on Saturday and move a point behind La Liga leaders Barcelona. After struggling to find their best form this season coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s victory, even though it took its time to crystallise against the determined Catalans. Brazil star Vinicius started on the bench but created a goal for Rodrygo Goes before scoring himself to complete Madrid’s turnaround after a Thibaut Courtois own goal gifted the visitors the lead early in the second half.

Dani Carvajal levelled for Madrid soon afterwards before Vinicius took the reins, with Kylian Mbappe adding a late penalty to net in his fourth consecutive game for the club.

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, boasting a perfect record of five wins from five matches, visit unbeaten Villarreal, fourth, on Sunday, looking to restore their four-point lead.

“I thought it was a good game, (the players) reacted well after Espanyol’s goal, we played much better, having more chances and I am happy,” Ancelotti told reporters.

Madrid have not been at their most fluent but this was a cut above their recent displays and the Italian was impressed.

“We played much faster, touching the ball quicker up front, with some better movement,” noted Ancelotti.

“Mobility is a very important weapon… bit by bit we’re returning to our best version.”

The comprehensive victory was Madrid’s 38th consecutive La Liga game without defeat, their last loss in the competition coming just under a year ago, against Atletico Madrid in September 2023.

“That says a lot, not losing games in so many weeks is really nice, but we have to continue,” said Madrid captain Luka Modric.

“It’s quality, character, commitment from the team, everyone is ready when called on… those are the key factors.”

Madrid had a stranglehold on the first half without being able to make the breakthrough, with Mbappe heavily involved, hunting for his sixth goal of the season across all competitions.

Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia made a fine save at his near post to thwart the France captain’s effort from a tight angle, among other stops.

Increasingly frustrated, Mbappe was booked for protesting against a decision called against him.

Madrid have been able to score just one first half goal in eight matches this season but on this occasion they were racking up the chances.

Carlos Romero came close for the promoted visitors early in the second period with a strike that flew off-target, but it was mostly one-way traffic in the other direction.

Madrid were therefore stunned when the visitors took the lead in the 54th minute, with Courtois clumsily deflecting Jofre Carreras’ cross into his own net.

Stylish comeback

Ancelotti sent on Vinicius immediately but it was Carvajal who levelled four minutes later, tapping home on the line after Bellingham’s cross squirmed away from the previously flawless Garcia.

Espanyol’s resistance crumbled and Vinicius produced a sublime cross with the outside of his boot to tee up Rodrygo for the second.

Mbappe unselfishly slipped Vinicius through on goal to tuck home the third and the former Paris-Saint Germain star dispatched a late penalty himself to complete a sizeable victory.

It was Mbappe’s fourth La Liga goal of the season, pulling him level with Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski as top scorer.

Endrick won the spot-kick as he exploded into the box and was dragged down by Romero.

Ancelotti said he had to be “unfair” to the 18-year-old Brazil striker, who is yet to start for the club.

“On one hand it’s unfair because he’s training very well, but on the other it’s that we have Rodrygo, Mbappe and Vinicius up front, you have to be a bit patient,” he said.

Elsewhere Valencia earned their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Girona, 13th, on Saturday.

The Catalan side have now suffered three consecutive defeats, including a 1-0 loss at PSG in their Champions League debut on Wednesday.