Real Madrid's Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale put Espanyol to the sword

Karim Benzema will start up front for Real Madrid (Reuters)

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema is the type of player who can excite any football fan, coach Santiago Solari said after the often-maligned Frenchman scored twice and inspired his side to a 4-2 win at Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday.

Benzema, who has been playing through the pain of a fractured finger sustained two weeks ago, got the third-placed visitors off to a dream start by pouncing on a rebound and opening the scoring in the fourth minute.

The forward then made it 3-1 to Madrid just before halftime with a magnificent strike, playing a one-two with Vinicius Jr and stroking the ball into the bottom corner, and he played a role in Gareth Bale scoring the European champions' fourth.

"He had a spectacular game, Madrid fans are enjoying watching him and so would any person who likes football," Solari said after a fifth win from six games in all competitions for his side, who are hitting form after a poor start to 2019.

"Karim is such a generous player, he makes his team mates better with his play and with his efforts."

Benzema, 31, is Real's leading scorer this term with 13 goals though he has not always enjoyed the devotion of the fans due to his inconsistent scoring record, having notched more than 20 in the league in only two of his 10 seasons with the club.

Yet with Madrid's all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo now at Juventus, and the likes of Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio struggling for consistency and with injuries, Benzema has turned into of one of their most reliable players this year.

"Today he scored twice, but he always puts in complete performances," added Solari, after the win kept third-placed Madrid within five points of local rivals Atletico, although still 10 adrift of leaders Barcelona.

Winger Lucas Vazquez also heaped praise on Benzema.

"He is proving that he is the best number nine in the world," he said. "He is scoring goals, working hard and linking up with everyone. It's wonderful to be able to play with him."

Reuters

Preview

How to stream and watch on TV...

The match will be shown online on Eleven Sports 1 and STV Player.

Form guide...

Espanyol – LLDLL

Real Madrid – WDLWW

Odds...

Real Madrid 4/6

Espanyol 3/1

Draw 4/1

Prediction...

Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid

[27 January 2019 15:30 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Girona 0-1 Barcelona

14 minutes

Chance for Pons. A free kick is swung into the box and the midfielder meets it with a strong header. Ter Stegen is stranded but the ball loops over the bar. Barcelona look vulnerable from crosses.

[27 January 2019 15:32 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Girona 0-1 Barcelona

16 minutes

Coutinho really should make it 2-0. Messi slips a perfect pass into the Brazilian, who runs through one-on-one with Bono. But he can't beat the onrushing goalkeeper with his finish.

[27 January 2019 15:36 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Girona 0-1 Barcelona

20 minutes

Girona aren't making things easy for Barcelona. The hosts have edged possession so far and caused problems in the final third. They need to be constantly wary, though, of the threat posed by Barcelona at the other end.

[27 January 2019 15:38 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Girona 0-1 Barcelona

22 minutes

Messi drives at the Girona defence and plays one-two with Coutinho. The Argentine looks to find a path through to goal, but he's crowded out and dispossessed. 

[27 January 2019 15:40 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Girona 0-1 Barcelona

23 minutes

Messi, unsurprisingly, is involved again as Barcelona come forward threateningly. He plays a delightful pass over the top for Suarez, who cuts back and returns the ball to Messi. He tries to curl a shot into the far corner but it flies just past the post.

[27 January 2019 15:43 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Girona 0-1 Barcelona

27 minutes

Barcelona are starting to control this game now. Messi is dictating things, and plays another excellent pass into the path of Jordi Alba. His cross is blocked and Girona defend the resulting corner well.

[27 January 2019 15:46 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Girona 0-1 Barcelona

29 minutes

Messi and Coutinho link up nicely again. The former drives towards goal and goes down under a challenge from Bernardo, who goes into the book. Barcelona have a free kick on the edge of the box.

[27 January 2019 15:47 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Girona 0-1 Barcelona

31 minutes

Messi strikes his free kick at the wall and Girona look to spring a counter attack. Lenglet stops any progress with a cynical foul and picks up a yellow card.

[27 January 2019 15:49 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Girona 0-1 Barcelona

32 minutes

Portu meets a delicate ball into the box but glances his header wide of the far post. It's the first time in a while that Girona have troubled Barcelona's defence.

[27 January 2019 15:52 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Girona 0-1 Barcelona

35 minutes

Barcelona are not defending crosses convincingly. Porro swings one in from the right, which causes problems for Ter Stegen. The German flaps at the ball but it drops kindly and Barcelona clear.