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 20:19 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid

33 minutes

Baptistao, involved again, only half clears a cross and Vinicius picks up the loose ball. He picks out Benzema, who lays it off to Kroos on the edge of the box. The German's shot is wayward and flies harmlessly over the bar.

[27 January 2019 20:20 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid

34 minutes

Sergio Garcia is in the book for a late challenge on Ramos, who looks in pain. He's receiving some treatment from the physio.

[27 January 2019 20:24 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid

38 minutes

Real are dominating possession and have looked relatively untroubled since Espanyol's goal. They will know, though, that another goal is needed to make things more secure.

[27 January 2019 20:28 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid

41 minutes

Varane is forced into some defending as a long ball is played over the top. The Frenchman handles the danger with typical composure, despite the close attention of Borja Iglesias.

[27 January 2019 20:30 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid

45 minutes

Real take a quick free kick and Vazquez is released on the right. He plays a cross in the direction of Benzema, who can only guide his header wide of the far post.

[27 January 2019 20:31 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid

45 minutes

Two minutes of added time will be played.

[27 January 2019 20:31 · Callum Rice-Coates]

GOAL! Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid (Benzema)

45+1 minutes

Right on the stroke of half time, Benzema makes it 3-1. The Frenchman cuts in from the left, plays a one-two with Vinicius and slots the ball coolly into the bottom corner. That's his second of the game and it could put the game beyond Espanyol.

[27 January 2019 20:34 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Half time: The referee brings the first half to a close. Benzema's two goals, and Ramos' header, have given the visitors a comfortable lead at the break. That goal right before the whistle might have knocked some of the stuffing out of Espanyol, who grew into the game after a poor start.

[27 January 2019 20:37 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Not bad for a defender...

[27 January 2019 20:49 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol get us back underway. Can they pull of an unlikely comeback?