Madrid: Iker Casillas; Carvajal (Arbeloa 46’), Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Khedira (Modric 62’), Illarramendi, Isco; Di María, Benzema (Morata 66’), Bale. 4-3-3.
Espanyol: Kiko Casilla; Javi López, Colotto, Héctor Moreno, Fuentes; Víctor Sánchez (Alex Fernández 65’), David López; Stuani, Abraham (Córdoba 62’), Simao (Pizzi 68’); Sergio García. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 64. Bale. Picked up Benzema pass and fired angled shot in off far post.
2-0. 86. Morata. Got on the end of Di María cross to turn shot wide of Casilla.
2-1. 90. Pizzi. Beat Casillas on far post after Sergio García crossed from right.
3-1. 91. Morata. Steered shot in to empty net after Di María played ball across.
Yellow cards: None.
Real Madrid ended the season in third place, behind Barcelona on goal difference even though Ancelotti’s side beat Espanyol 3-1 on Saturday evening. Cristiano Ronaldo was looking for the goal he needed to get ahead of Liverpool’s Luis Suárez in the race for the European Golden Boot, but he had to pull out after aggravating an injury in the pre-match warm up. Madrid had taken themselves out of the running for the league title after only picking up two points from their last three games, but they dominated the first half, Benzema heading a good chance over the top and Kiko Casilla having to save from Ramos and Benzema. Midway through the second half Bale got the opener, picking up Benzema’s pass and beating the keeper with an angled shot in off the post, but Simao and Pizzi both went close soon afterwards, and Ancelotti suffered another blow when Benzema limped off with an injury which could take him out of the Champions League final. His replacement Morata took his opportunity though to add a second after Ramos and Di María combined to set him up, and although Pizzi got on the end of a Sergio García cross to steer a shot past Iker Casillas, Morata wrapped things up after latching on to Di María’s square pass following a quick breakaway. A last game for Javier Aguirre before moving on, and his side will be glad the season is over after only picking up two points from their last eight matches. Madrid still have one game to go though, and they will be hoping that Ronaldo, Benzema, Pepe and company will recover in time for next Saturday’s little trip to Lisbon.