Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by J. Rodríguez.
RONALDO GETS HIS HAT-TRICK! It's too simple for the visitors as James Rodriguez looks up and spots the forward, sending a cross over to the back post which Ronaldo heads home for his third of the night!
89'
WIDE FROM NACHO! The substitute makes a good run forward as the ball falls kindly for him just inside the top of the penalty area. He calls Ronaldo off, but fails to hit the target with his shot, much to the dismay of the Portuguese forward.
87'
The late push from Espanyol is proving to be all for nothing as they have a daunting mountain to climb now. They will have felt that they deserved more, and they defended admirably, but a few moments of brilliance from the visitors was enough to do them in.
85'
STAT ATTACK: Real Madrid have won five of their last six trips to the Estadi Cornella-El Prat in the league (D1). They have scored 11 goals in those five victories, without reply.
84'
Paco Montañés enters the game and replaces D. Colotto.
Felipe Mattioni enters the game and replaces Abraham.
83'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid!
THREE GOALS AND THREE POINTS FOR LOS BLANCOS! They've responded brilliantly after conceding. Chicharito makes an incredibly instinctive play as he chases down a ball over the top before blindly pulling it back for Ronaldo, and the forward makes no mistake as he blasts it past a helpless Casilla.
81'
Nacho enters the game and replaces Dani Carvajal.
DIVING STOP! Exquisite suff from Bale who drifts inside and unleashes a cannon of a shot in at the near post. It has plenty of movement behind it, but Casilla stays with it to knock it behind for a corner.
79'
Marcelo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Cristiano Ronaldo.
MARCELO RESTORES REAL MADRID'S LEAD! It's a stunning goal from the visitors! Illarramendi's cross isn't dealt with convincingly by Casilla as the pressure stays on. Marcelo picks it up and works a lovely one-two with Ronaldo before placing a first-time shot into the top corner!
77'
Game-saving challenge! Espanyol have sprung to life as they push for a winner! Sergio Garcia surges forward on the left and plays a sensational low cross in for Stuani, but Varane intervenes with a brilliant tackle to sniff out the chance. The game as sprung to life and with it, so have the fans!
Minute
Description
75'
Marcelo picks up a yellow card for his protests, feeling there should have been a foul as Navas was knocked to ground, but there was nothing illegal about that from Stuani - and you have to wonder what's going through the head of Carlo Ancelotti who puzzlingly dropped Casillas from the starting XI today.
74'
K. Navas gets yellow.
Marcelo gets yellow.
73'
C. Stuani has scored a goal for Espanyol! Assist by Sergio García.
Illarramendi enters the game and replaces Isco.
ESPANYOL HAVE THEIR EQUALIZER! Absolutely disastrous from Navas who has dug Real Madrid into a massive hole now! Pepe sends a ball back for the keeper, who has all the time in the world, but a heavy touch invites a challenge from Stuani who wins the ball back. The striker rolls it across goal for Garcia, who plays it right back to the substitute who taps it home!
71'
BRILLIANT BLOCK! Absolutely world class from Carvajal, who denies the hosts a sure equalizer! Sergio Garcia sprints forward and lays a pass of for Stuani, who exquisitely flicks it on into the path of Sanchez. The midfielder does well to fake a shot to elude Varane and get through on goal, and with Navas seemingly beaten, Carvajal lunges in from out of nowhere to knock the shot behind!
69'
Carvajal is called for a handball on the right, giving the hosts a good opportunity from the ensuing set piece. Victor Alvarez delivers a teasing ball in to the far post and Stuani rises well to meet it, but sends his header over the bar!
68'
Dani Carvajal gets yellow.
67'
UPDATE! Barcelona have taken the lead in their match over Atletico Madrid, through Lionel Messi! A Blaugrana victory today secures them the title and ensures Real Madrid end the 2014-15 season without a trophy.
66'
STAT ATTACK: Real Madrid remain the only team in Spain’s top flight yet to draw a match away from home this season (W13, D5), while only Almeria and Granada have tied more games at home this season than Espanyol (six).
64'
C. Stuani enters the game and replaces F. Caicedo.
The stoppage also prompts the hosts to make their first change, and it's a positive one as Christia Stuani enters the match in place of Felipe Caicedo. The Uruguayan striker has 10 goals to his name this season and would love to add another here.
63'
J. Hernández enters the game and replaces K. Benzema.
Here's the first change for Real Madrid now as Karim Benzema, still not 100 per cent fit, is replaced by Javier Hernandez. The Frenchman has set up the lone goal of the match thus far and receives a warm applause from the traveling fans.
61'
What does that goal mean for Real Madrid? With Barcelona still being held at the Vicente Calderon, the three points brings them to within two of the league leaders, shifting the pressure onto them heading into the final week of the season. Of course with a half hour still to play, nothing is set in stone.
59'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by K. Benzema.
FINALLY A BREAKTHROUGH FOR REAL MADRID! A scintillating counter from Real Madrid provides them with the opener as Benzema threads it through for Ronaldo on the left and the forward drives an effort seemingly through Casilla and into the back of the net. Hope is alive again for Los Blancos as Ronaldo gets his first goal at the Cornella-El Prat since September 2009.
58'
Brilliant again from Carvajal! The right-back makes a probing run forward and does incredibly well to threat the ball through for James Rodriguez. The midfielder drives a left-footed shot at goal, but misses narrowly at the near post.
56'
It's a much better period of pressure than Real Madrid managed throughout the course of the first half, as they're at least making the back line work now with these balls in from the flanks. Wide play has been Los Blancos' best outlet throughout the match and they have to continue to feed the ball to Marcelo and Carvajal on the overlap.
55'
Víctor Sánchez gets yellow.
54'
HOW DID THAT STAY OUT?! Marcello starts the attack with a tremendous cross in from the left and Ronaldo flies in acrobatically to meet it, sending an effort off the woodwork before the follow up at the near post is denied by Casilla! The flag is up, however, but it's unclear if Ronaldo's effort would have counted, or the infraction came on the rebound.
52'
STAT ATTACK: Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last 14 league meetings with Espanyol (W11, D3). Their last defeat against the Periquitos came back in October of 2007.
50'
Fearless defending! Bale is again fed with the ball on the right, this time cutting across the top of the area. He unloads everything behind a shot, but Moreno dives in bravely to get a block in. It strikes him square in the midsection and he goes down in a heap. Isco plays the ball out to allow the defender to collect himself, much to the appreciation of the home supporters.
48'
The second half has started rather sluggishly as Real Madrid control possession without posing much of a threat going forward. Bale is played though on the right by Isco, but Colotto is having none of it as he glides across to knock the ball away from the Welshman.
46'
Back underway in Barcelona!
45'
There will be no time added on at the end of this first half as referee Juan Martinez sounds the whistle for half time.
43'
Espanyol are being pinned inside their own end as Real Madrid do a good job keeping the pressure on. The visitor aren't offering an outlet to the hosts when they win the ball back, but the possession has produced very little of note for Los Blancos.
41'
STAT ATTACK: Espanyol have conceded just 15 goals in their 18 home matches in the league this season. Only the top five teams in the Spanish Premiera Division have allowed fewer.
39'
An opening goal doesn't appear imminent as we approach half time. The pace has slowed as Real Madrid are becoming reluctant to commit men forward with Espanyol looking increasingly dangerous on the break.
37'
PENALTY APPEALS DENIED! Sergio Garcia takes a pass inside the area and the skipper is pushed down from behind by Pepe, who appeared to be beaten there. The contact wasn't obvious, but there was certainly something in that coming together. The defender walks over to apologize as play goes back the other way, but the Espanyol captain wants nothing to do with it.
35'
Carvajal has been a real bright spot for the visitors at both ends of the pitch. He does brilliantly to break inside the area, helped by a slight nudge on from Ronaldo. He tries to give the Portugal international a return pass, but would have been much better off chipping a cross towards Benzema at the far post.
33'
Delicious delivery from Isco! Ronaldo plays the midfielder the ball and he sends a gorgeous first-time return pass over the top to play the forward through on goal... but the flag goes up for offside! It was a very close call and the forward was robbed of the benefit of the doubt there.
31'
STAT ATTACK: Cristiano Ronaldo has not scored at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat since a 3-0 Real Madrid triumph in September 2009, a goalless drought which has extended to five matches (four starts, one sub).
29'
This is a defending clinic from Espanyol! They are guarding the six-yard box like the holy grail and Real Madrid are out of answers. Ronaldo slides Benzema through inside the left of the penalty area and he tries to roll a ball across the face of goal, but Hector Moreno slides in and says no sir!
27'
TREMENDOUS DEFENDING! Ronaldo is played through inside the left channel and has a clean look at goal, but Alvaro Gonzalez slides in brilliantly with a perfectly-timed challenge to block the forward's path to goal - and it had to be, or that would have been a penalty and a sending off.
25'
Espanyol are looking the likelier of the two teams to break the deadlock at the moment. The hosts are starting to build a nice rhythm in attack as they carve their way through the Real Madrid midfield like a Christmas turkey.
23'
Pepe gets yellow.
Pepe is the latest to pick up a yellow card as he slides in with a cynical challenge to break up a quick break for the hosts. The Portuguese defender is certainly no stranger to the referee's book.
22'
Real Madrid have not managed more than a couple of minutes of concentrated pressure on the Espanyol back line. It has been surprisingly comfortable for the hosts in defence, who certainly appear up for the occasion - and remember, a defeat today would end Los Blancos' title hopes regardless of results elsewhere.
20'
STAT ATTACK: Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has kept eight clean sheets in the second half of the season. Only Claudio Bravo (10) has managed more over that span.
18'
F. Caicedo gets yellow.
Absolutely careless from Caicedo. Navas collects the corner and slowly looks to distribute the ball, but the striker comes in from behind and inexcusably punches the ball out of the keeper's grasp. It's a needless yellow card which won't make Sergio Gonzalez very happy.
17'
VITAL BLOCK! Great ball movement from the hosts as they string six or seven passes together on the counter. Victor Sanchez picks out Caicedo, who lays it off for Sergio Garcia in the area, but Carvajal shows great pace to recover and slide in to block the shot behind for a corner.
15'
Real Madrid are starting to up the tempo as they pour the pressure on. Marcelo and Carvajal are playing so high up the pitch, helping to keep Espanyol pinned deep in their end, but the hosts will have space to exploit on the counter if they can break forward with pace.
13'
PICTURE PERFECT DELIVERY! Absolutely sublime from Daniel Carvajal, as he sprints forward on the overlap and takes a pass from Benzema, before delivering an exquisite cross in towards the far post. Cristiano Ronaldo is there to meet it and has a gaping goal in front of him, but bounces his header wide of the near post!
11'
The match has yet to really kick into high gear, though Espanyol are enjoying their fair share of possession. Felipe Caicedo has shown some lovely skill up top to hold the ball up, but he's been very careless with his passing, twice give the ball straight to the opposition as their attacks fizzle out.
9'
STAT ATTACK: Real Madrid are without a win in their last three matches across all competitions (D2, L1). The last time they went four games without a victory was back in May 2009 when they ended the season with five consecutive league defeats.
7'
OUT COMES NAVAS! Well how about that from the Real Madrid keeper? A ball is played forward down the left for Victor Alvarez, but Keylor Navas comes sprinting off his line and well out of the area to slide in and knock the ball out of play. That was well read by the Costa Rica international, who didn't hesitate in the slightest.
5'
Espanyol have settled in nicely and enjoy their first foray into attack. The hosts aren't timid as they commit men forward and Arbilla sends a nice ball over the top into the area, but Varane smartly arrives to head clear.
3'
OFFSIDE! Wonderful start from Real Madrid as they send out early warning signs to their opponents. Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema work a tidy one-two, but the Welshman can't time his run properly as the flag goes up as he's played clean through behind the defence.
1'
And we're off! Espanyol in blue and white, Real Madrid in black.
Good day La Liga fans and welcome to Barcelona! The Estadi Cornella-El Prat is our venue today as Real Madrid try and do what they can to keep their miniscule title hopes alive against an Espanyol side hoping to add to Los Blancos' misery. I am Alex Moretto and I will be your in-game host, guiding you through the match LIVE as it happens!
A year after completing the double – including the long elusive La Decima – Real Madrid look poised to finish the 2014/15 season without a trophy. This campaign was already being viewed upon as a disappointment as they fell behind Barcelona in the chase for the title, and Wednesday's Champions League exit at the hands of Juventus was a further blow to the Spanish giants. It put the writing on the wall surrounding the possible departure of Carlo Ancelotti, and club president Florentino Perez confirmed those suspicions when he referred to the Italian as a "plan B" for the coaching position moving ahead to next season.
While it would take a minor miracle for Real Madrid to win their first league title since 2012, it's worth noting it isn't mathematically impossible. They trail Barcelona by four points, but given the Blaugrana's track record this season, the task facing Los Blancos is contingent on the unimaginable. It's ironic how the fate of Real Madrid now lays with their inner-city rivals, Atletico Madrid, who could end Los Blancos' title hopes by losing to the league leaders today at the Vicente Calderon. Any dropped points would keep the Bernabeu club's slim title hopes alive, assuming Real Madrid take care of business themselves here today. Regardless of results elsewhere, Carlo Ancelotti will no doubt want to rebound from their midweek disappointment.
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS:
REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Isco, Kroos, Rodriguez; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.
In a rather surprising decision, Iker Casillas has been dropped from Real Madrid lineup by Carlo Ancelotti, despite a fine performance midweek against Juventus. Keylor Navas takes his place between the posts. The lone other change comes in defence where Sergio Ramos, who reportedly playing the entirety of Wednesday's match with a torn calf muscle, gets the day off as Pepe pairs up with Raphael Varane in the Spaniard's absence. Other than that, Ancelotti has thrown the same team out there to try and extract revenge for their Champions League shortcomings.
The hosts most surprising team news doesn't come on the team sheet, however, but on the tactics board as they opt to play with a rarely used 3-5-2 formation. The three centre-backs will give them some more stability at the back, but plenty of responsibility will be placed on wing-backs Arbilla and Victor Alvarez as they are tasked with providing support to slow down the high-flying Real Madrid attack. Espanyol have made just two changes to their team otherwise, reinstating Hector Moreno in defence to anchor the back line, with left-back Juan Fuentes dropped to the bench. Christian Stuani is also relegated to a role as a substitute, in favour of an extra midfielder.
HALF TIME: ESPANYOL 0-0 REAL MADRID. The visitors have been the superior side after 45 minutes, but not by much. The best chance of the half fell for Ronaldo who sent a header wide of a gaping goal, but chances have been limited at both ends as the defences hold the upper hand heading into the break.
FULL TIME: ESPANYOL 1-4 REAL MADRID. Ronaldo's second half hat-trick ensures all three points for Los Blancos as they get past the stubborn Periquitos. It's not enough for them, however, as Barcelona hold on for a victory at the Vicente Calderon, meaning the title dream is officially over for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
I am Alex Moretto and I would like to thank you all for joining me here today. Good bye!
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