Espanyol find deserved late goal to defeat Real Madrid

Published on: 27 February 2018

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Gerard Moreno scored with the final kick of the game to give Espanyol a deserved 1-0 victory over a much-changed Real Madrid side in La Liga on Thursday.

Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane chose to rest Cristiano Ronaldo and begin with Karim Benzema on the bench with an eye towards next week's second leg of the Champions League round-of-16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain, and he paid f

Espanyol were unfortunate not to take the lead in the first half, as Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas came out to deny Moreno, who soon after had a goal ruled out for offside in what replays showed to be a debatable decision.

Gareth Bale had a penalty shout waved away before the break when his shot hit the arm of a sliding Víctor Sanchez.

Bale had another chance early in the second half but saw his shot from 10 yards deflect off of a defender for a corner.

Zidane brought on Benzema for the ineffective Isco, but it was Espanyol who pushed for a late winner, with Moreno curling a shot just wide of the post late on.

The game appeared headed for a draw, but in the 93rd minute, Moreno turned in a cross from Sergio Garcia to steal a late

Having now played an extra game, Madrid stayed seven points back of Atletico Madrid for second place and 14 behind leaders Barcelona.

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