Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 3-1 with late goals from Karim Benzema.

After VAR changed Benjamin Lecomte's yellow for a foul on Dani Ceballos to a red, he was dismissed, and Benzema's free-kick made it 3-1 as the clock entered the 10th minute of extra time. “We won the match because we had more energy on the pitch than the opponent”,: Carlo Ancelotti said. 

Despite a valiant effort by Espanyol, Real Madrid was able to win thanks to goals from the explosive combo of Benzema and Vinicius. With his changes, Carlo Ancelotti altered the dynamic of the match and made Camavinga and Rodrygo Goes the stars. Nobody would have minded if Espanyol had held on for a point, but Madrid thrives in those situations where worn-out rivals start to falter, and Karim Benzema's goals at the ends of the 88th and 100th minutes made sure they left with all three points.