When the favourite for the Ballon d’Or in Brazil came on, Real Madrid’s stars took over and set up a comfortable win.

There aren’t many teams that can bring in a guy this good off the bench. It was also very important for Real Madrid that Vinicius Jr. came on because they were having a terrible game. Even though the Brazilian got a rare break, he brought life to Real Madrid when he came on, and they came back from being down 1-0 to win 4-1, hiding yet another strange performance.

In the first half, Real Madrid was pretty static, depending too much on Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham to come up with ideas. The game was dull, and Madrid didn’t make many clear chances because they were playing badly.

Ten minutes into the second half, Espanyol took the lead. The custodian hit a high ball up the pitch with purpose, right into the path of Jofre Carreras. Carreras ran down the wing and sent in a risky cross that Thibaut Courtois couldn’t handle.

It took Los Blancos four minutes to answer. When Vinicius was presented at the hour mark, he set everything off. He played a big role in setting up Dani Carvajal’s goal, which tied the game. In the second, he was even more important. His trivela pass found Rodrygo right at the goal, and he couldn’t miss to make it 2-1. He scored the third goal himself by running through the middle and putting a left-footed shot into the bottom corner. Mbappe then scored the fourth goal late in the game from the penalty spot.

Madrid wasn’t spellbinding in this game. Still, Vinicius proved that adding a very good player to a football game is a good idea in the end.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Thibaut Courtois (4/10):

Gave up a goal with a rare howler. Didn’t have much else to do.

Dani Carvajal (6/10):

Skinned in the run up to the opener, but then scored an equalising goal, before being subbed off. A strange evening.

Eder Militao (6/10):

Slightly shaky at times on the ball – he’s not quite back to his best after suffering a serious knee injury.

Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

Given a run out in central defence, where he never really looked comfortable. Positionally a bit loose.

Fran Garcia (7/10):

Full of legs on the left, and made good on his license to get forward. Stung the keeper’s palms with a fine effort.

Midfield

Federico Valverde (7/10):

A dizzying, buzzing showing in central midfield. Won the ball back constantly. Isn’t a tempo-setter in the way Madrid need, though.

Luka Modric (6/10):

A rare sloppy performance in which he looked pretty leggy at times.

Jude Bellingham (6/10):

Dropped a bit deeper at times to account for Modric’s forward explorations. Did a lot of trying to dribble everyone. Could do with connecting play more.

Attack

Arda Guler (6/10):

Didn’t really have much of an involvement, but was rather harshly sacrificed for Vinicius when Los Blancos conceded.

Kylian Mbappe (7/10):

Lively throughout in a mostly central role. Scored the fourth and assisted the third. Should perhaps try passing the ball every now and then – it worked the one time he actually did it.

Rodrygo (8/10):

Deployed on the left at first, with Vinicius handed a rest. Didn’t do much on his own, but looked better when his national team-mate entered the fray. Scored the vital second.

Subs & Manager

Vinicius Jr (9/10):

Madrid scored within minutes of him coming on – and he played a role in the build up. Added an assist, and then a goal of his own. Deadly and magnificent, all at once.

Lucas Vazquez (6/10):

An extra body for a tired Carvajal. Didn’t do much wrong.

Endrick (7/10):

Won a penalty late on in pretty much his only involvement.

Toni Rudiger (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):

Rotated pretty heavily, and didn’t start his “big four” up front. His team were fairly awful for an hour… and then he brought his best player off the bench. Sometimes it’s not exactly rocket science.