Real Madrid beat Espanyol 3-1, eye Liverpool and Clasico

Vinícius Júnior sparked Real Mrid's 3-1 comeback win over Espanyol in Spanish league on Saturday, keeping leer Barcelona within reach before rivals meet next weekend.

Joselu Mato put Espanyol ahe at Santiago Bernabeu in eighth minute. But Vinícius equalized in 22nd and Éder Militão heed Mrid in front for good minutes before halftime.

Substitute Marco Asensio ded a third goal in stopp time as Mrid ended a three-game winless run across league and Copa del Rey.

Carlo Ancelotti's team reduced Barcelona's le to six points before front-runner visits Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Karim Benzema missed game as he rested to recover from an ankle problem. Before game, Ancelotti said he expected his striker to be rey to face Liverpool in Champions League on Wednesday. Mrid holds a 5-2 vant from first leg of round of 16.

Mrid will n visit Barcelona on March 19 in a clásico that will likely weigh heavily on title fight.

“It was a game we h to win at any cost,” Ancelotti said. “This week is important with Champions League and clásico, and w we can face it with good momentum.” Ancelotti insisted his players quickly turn ir focus on Liverpool. Even though his team has a three-goal cushion, coach said rematch of last season's European final could be a game “full of traps.” Merciless Mrid ============ Espanyol, which was left in 13th place, took le when Joselu scored with a fine touch of his left boot. Joselu became league's second-leing scorer, along with Getafe's Enes Unal, with 12. Only Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski has more at 15.

But when Mrid's Vinícius got going, Mrid never gave Espanyol much of a chance to pull off upset.

Brazil forward looked hemmed in by Espanyol when he received ball on left side of area. But a quick change of direction toward center opened up just eugh of a window for him to thre a shot between four defenders before it went in off post.

“We were calm eugh to come back from a goal down,” Vinícius said after his team-best 19th goal across all competitions.

When Mrid h Espanyol scrambling again, Militão jumped over his marker at near post to he in a short cross by Aurélien Tchouaméni.

Diego Martínez sent on extra attackers for Espanyol in second half, but Mrid went closest to ar goal when Rodrygo struck a free kick off crossbar in 75th.

Asensio rounded off win after defender Nacho Fernández dribbled forward and set him up.

“We were in match until final minutes,” Joselu said. “We gave it all we h, but Real Mrid shows mercy.” Down to Eight ========== Last-placed Elche grabbed a point in stopp time when Tete Morrente scored to draw 1-1 against a Vallolid that finished with eight players.

Cyle Larin struck in fourth minute for his fourth goal in seven appearances for Vallolid since Cana forward arrived in January.

But Vallolid lost its hold on game when Darwin Machís was injured and h to leave after coach José “Pacheta” Rojo me all his substitutions.

After Morrente scored, two Vallolid players — Roque Mesa and Martin Hongla – were sent off for second bookings.

Or Results ========== Iago Aspas scored his 10th and 11th league goals to le Celta Vigo to 3-0 over Rayo Valleca. His second goal was superbly executed by a touch of outside of his left foot to float ball over goalkeeper from a tight angle.

Justin Kluivert's goal in 74th minute gave Valencia a 1-0 win over Osasuna and helped to lift it out of relegation zone. Osasuna Sergio Herrera goalie saved a penalty by Hugo Duro in injury time.