Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0 last night to seal their first victory at Santiago Bernabeu in the La Liga this season.
Real Madrid subjected Espanyol to a 2-0 defeat last night to secure their first home win of the season in La Liga so far. Cristiano Ronaldo helped Isco begin their goals tally with a neat finish after the first half hour. Espanyol were extremely wasteful as they did not make use of several chances to equalise in the second half.
In fact, at one point, Los Blancos seemingly loosened their grip on the game but Isco initiated a stunning counter-attack to go ahead and score his second goal with 20 minutes remaining on the clock. Madrid now sit in the fifth place in the league table, and are seven points behind arch-rivals Barcelona.
However, Real Madrid’s calibre in front of the goal continues to be a worrisome prospect. Zidane’s side had 22 shots on goal and yet converted that into only two goals. THT takes a look at some of the best tweets regarding the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo now has 200 career assists. Another milestone. ? #RMAESP pic.twitter.com/B74tP3IYp5
— Madridista ⚽ (@Madridiasta) October 1, 2017
Real are just missing that final ball into the box so far. Extremely compact lines of four and five from Espanyol while defending. #RMAESP
— Football Bloody Hell (@fbhfootball) October 1, 2017
Oh dear! We've resorted again to our non creative high crosses from the flanks… Please get more creative, Real Madrid!! #RMAESP #LaLiga
— CRonaldoDaily.com (@BreatheRonaldo) October 1, 2017
Real Madrid become the first club to win ? La Liga games against a single opponent ? pic.twitter.com/urBJvhixrS
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 1, 2017
Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol FT:
Shots: 22-8
Pass accuracy: 90%-82%
Chances created: 19-3
Possession: 59%-41%The first home win. pic.twitter.com/CkuN2fLqXe
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 1, 2017
FT: Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol.
Home win at the Bernabeu AND a clean sheet? pic.twitter.com/kuAffr0w4z
— Ali (@RM_Insider) October 1, 2017
This is Real Madrid's first win the league in the Bernabeu this season. We are in October. Surely that never happened before?
— Ahmad (@ahmadf_o) October 1, 2017
Friendly reminder that Real Madrid Club de Fútbol is still the official best club in the world.
— Xav Salazar (@XavsFutbol) October 1, 2017
One player who grabbed headlines besides Isco was 18-year-old Achraf Hakimi who was quite impressive on his debut.
Congratulations to Achraf Hakimi for marking his debut as the first ARABIC player to wear Real Madrid’s shirt.
WE BELIEVE IN YOU!!! ❤️??
— Jaafar (@TheRMFam) October 1, 2017
Achraf Hakimi vs Espanyol:
46/50 passes completed
5 crosses
3 clearances
2/3 dribbles succeeded
2/3 tackles wonSuccessful La Liga Debut ✅ pic.twitter.com/NZxESrdnXQ
— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) October 1, 2017
18-year-old Achraf Hakimi is Real Madrid's first ever full Moroccan international to play in LaLiga.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 1, 2017
Achraf Hakimi is apparently Madrid's first ever Arabic player ffs, people hate Benzema so much they refuse to acknowledge his existence
— Zach (@ZCalcio) October 2, 2017
Achraf Hakimi, Solid Display from the youngster. Will only get better, really great of & on the ball. Great Talent.
— Hamza (@Ronaldoverses) October 1, 2017
Fantastic to see 18yr old Achraf Hakimi making his starting Primera Division debut for Real Madrid tonight, credits to ZZ #bravecoach ??⚽️?
— MCWotte (@MarkWotte) October 1, 2017
@AchrafHakimi will be a future star at RB for us! Been showin too much promise at castilla and already a Moroccan international starter!
— Stefan Jogie (@justJogiethings) October 1, 2017
Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi makes his debut for Real Madrid at right back.
The last time Espanyol won at the Bernabau he was not born. (18yrs) pic.twitter.com/xFzNlNK45v
— Rahman osman (@iamrahmanosman) October 1, 2017
Last but not least, fans heaped a lot of praise upon Isco for his stunning brace.
Isco has now scored or assisted 19 goals in his last 26 starts for Real Madrid across all competitions.
12 goals ⚽️
7 assists ?️— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 1, 2017
Isco is surely better than CR overall? The one thing CR had over him was shooting but seems like Isco has surpassed him at that too
— mx (@BUSQXETS2) October 1, 2017
Isco is top five no question
— MC (@mediocentroEN) October 1, 2017
Yes Isco, yes magic! pic.twitter.com/y89w2dQvJN
— Cavalinho do Real (@CavalinhoDoReal) October 1, 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo also was a name found frequently among tweets as fans remained divided on his performance.
Ronaldo is off to his worst ever start in a La Liga campaign. 0 goals in 270 minutes.
Messi is off to his best start. 11 goals in 7 games.
— UNCLE URT (@KurtLaduma) October 2, 2017
Just realized Ronaldo didn't score again today ? What happened to Goals > Dribbles?
— ~ (@UltraAutistic) October 2, 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo will be crowned "player of the year" for 2 great months out of 12. Yet someone's saying football isn't a finished sport.
— Theo Wolfgang (@Dembouzzled) October 2, 2017
Ronaldo didn't score today, but created great chances and had a assist and should've had more, but you won't hear about it because his name is Cristiano Ronaldo.
— Madridista (@ArtisticAsensio) October 1, 2017
Ronaldo delivering great passes all game, shame nothing in return. STOP putting him as a lone striker, thanks.
— Leah (@LeahVdc) October 1, 2017
Ronaldo. Incredible. Doesnt get any service so he creates it for his teammates.
— JP (@Emperor_RM) October 1, 2017