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 20:49 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid

45 minutes

Ramos was unable to shake off the injury he sustained just before half time, so he's been replaced by Nacho.

[27 January 2019 20:52 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid

48 minutes

Real are immediately on the front foot and probing in search of a fourth goal. Vazquez is picked out with time and space on the right but his ball in is dealt with.

[27 January 2019 20:56 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid

52 minutes

Benzema has been on top of his game tonight, and nearly creates another excellent chance. The Frenchman drives into space and plays a perfectly weighted pass through to Carvajal. The full back looks to cut the ball back across goal but his cross is intercepted.

[27 January 2019 20:59 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid

54 minutes

Vinicius gets away with what appears to be a deliberate stamp on Hermoso. The officials didn't see it, although VAR is available tonight.

[27 January 2019 21:00 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid

56 minutes

Benzema and Kroos link up and the latter takes on a shot from distance. Again, he hits it off target, but Espanyol won't want to give the German too many opportunities to shoot.

[27 January 2019 21:02 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid

57 minutes

Vazquez runs into space on the right and picks out Modric. He links up with the lively Benzema, who plays a delicate ball into the feet of the Croatian. Lopez gets down excellently to save Modric's left-footed shot.

[27 January 2019 21:04 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid

59 minutes

Benzema should probably have a hattrick. He and Modric combine well once again, but the Frenchman scuffs his shot and drags it wide. He puts his head in his hands, aware that that was a missed opportunity.

[27 January 2019 21:07 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid

62 minutes

Vinicius races down the left, shrugging off his marker, and keeps going all the way through to Lopez in Espanyol's goal. He's stopped in his tracks just in time.

[27 January 2019 21:08 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid

64 minutes

Bale, after a month on the sidelines, makes his return, replacing Vinicius.

[27 January 2019 21:10 · Callum Rice-Coates]

GOAL! Espanyol 1-4 Real Madrid (Bale)

67 minutes

How about that for a return to action! Bale, having only entered the pitch moments before, picks up the ball in the box, turns and fires into the far corner. Vazquez and Benzema were involved in the buildup again, and things are looking up for Solari and his players.