Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol: Karim Benzema helps Real to comfortable win
Real Madrid had 18 shots in total, including eight on target
Karim Benzema scored and picked up an assist as Real Madrid recorded a comfortable win over Espanyol but were down to 10 men for the final stages after Ferland Mendy was sent off.
Benzema set up French team-mate Raphael Varane for the opener and made it 2-0 with just over 10 minutes to go.
The striker also wasted a huge chance in the second half, hitting it straight at keeper Diego Lopez from close range.
Mendy was shown a second yellow card in the 82nd minute for a rash challenge.
The victory moves Real Madrid three points clear of Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table before Ernesto Valverde's side take on Mallorca later on Saturday (20:00 GMT).
Real were comfortably the better team, although Espanyol did come close in the first half when Esteban Granero's header was palmed away by Thibaut Courtois, seconds before Vinicius Junior raced up the other end and forced a save out of Lopez.
The hosts squandered numerous chances to extend their lead before Benzema made it 2-0 - Vinicius having three shots on target, while Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde came close.
Brazilian Vinicius, 19, was a constant threat on the left, linking up with Benzema and causing problems for Espanyol's defence. He replaced Wales international Gareth Bale in the starting line-up, with the winger not in the squad after picking up a hamstring problem.
Real Madrid were also playing in an unfamiliar green kit - the first time they have done so at the Bernabeu - to show support for the COP25 climate summit in Madrid.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Real Madrid
13Courtois
2Carvajal
5Varane
4Ramos
23MendyBooked at 83mins
15ValverdeBooked at 74mins
14Casemiro
8KroosSubstituted forModricat 71'minutes
27RodrygoSubstituted forDíazat 85'minutes
9Benzema
25Vinícius JúniorBooked at 17minsSubstituted forMilitãoat 85'minutes
Substitutes
1Areola
3Militão
10Modric
18Jovic
19Odriozola
21Díaz
22Isco
Espanyol
13López
15López
20Bernardo
24CaleroBooked at 61mins
21Roca
34Gómez
23GraneroBooked at 15minsSubstituted forLozanoat 73'minutes
10DarderBooked at 90mins
17Vilá
7WuSubstituted forCampuzanoat 65'minutes
12CalleriSubstituted forMelendoat 83'minutes
Substitutes
1Prieto
2Ávila
3Pedrosa
6López
14Melendo
26Lozano
31Campuzano
Referee:
Santiago Jaime Latre
Attendance:
64,125
Match Stats
Home TeamReal MadridAway TeamEspanyol
Possession
Home61%
Away39%
Shots
Home18
Away6
Shots on Target
Home8
Away2
Corners
Home5
Away3
Fouls
Home15
Away13
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Real Madrid 2, Espanyol 0.
Full TimePosted at 90'+3'
Second Half ends, Real Madrid 2, Espanyol 0.
BookingPosted at 90'+1'
Sergi Darder (Espanyol) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 90'+1'
Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 90'+1'
Foul by Sergi Darder (Espanyol).
Posted at 88'
Offside, Espanyol. Diego López tries a through ball, but Víctor Campuzano is caught offside.
SubstitutionPosted at 85'
Substitution, Real Madrid. Brahim Díaz replaces Rodrygo.
SubstitutionPosted at 85'
Substitution, Real Madrid. Eder Militão replaces Vinícius Júnior.
Posted at 84'
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 84'
Foul by Bernardo Espinosa (Espanyol).
SubstitutionPosted at 83'
Substitution, Espanyol. Óscar Melendo replaces Jonathan Calleri.
DismissalPosted at 83'
Second yellow card to Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid) for a bad foul.
Posted at 82'
Foul by Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid).
Posted at 82'
Víctor Gómez (Espanyol) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal!Posted at 79'
Goal! Real Madrid 2, Espanyol 0. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Federico Valverde.
Posted at 77'
Attempt saved. Marc Roca (Espanyol) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Posted at 75'
Corner, Espanyol. Conceded by Raphael Varane.
Posted at 75'
Attempt blocked. Víctor Campuzano (Espanyol) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dídac Vilá.
BookingPosted at 74'
Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 74'
Foul by Federico Valverde (Real Madrid).
Posted at 74'
Víctor Campuzano (Espanyol) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
SubstitutionPosted at 73'
Substitution, Espanyol. Pol Lozano replaces Esteban Granero.
Posted at 72'
Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 72'
Foul by Marc Roca (Espanyol).
SubstitutionPosted at 71'
Substitution, Real Madrid. Luka Modric replaces Toni Kroos.
Posted at 71'
Attempt missed. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Vinícius Júnior.
Posted at 70'
Attempt missed. Jonathan Calleri (Espanyol) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Bernardo Espinosa with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
Posted at 69'
Foul by Rodrygo (Real Madrid).
Posted at 69'
Sergi Darder (Espanyol) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 68'
Attempt missed. Casemiro (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
Posted at 67'
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 67'
Foul by Bernardo Espinosa (Espanyol).
Posted at 66'
Attempt blocked. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Karim Benzema.
SubstitutionPosted at 65'
Substitution, Espanyol. Víctor Campuzano replaces Wu Lei.
BookingPosted at 63'
Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 63'
Foul by Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid).
Posted at 63'
Víctor Gómez (Espanyol) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 63'
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by David López.
BookingPosted at 61'
Fernando Calero (Espanyol) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 61'
Rodrygo (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Source: bbc.com
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