Spanish La Liga
Result: Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid
Date: 18 September 2016
Venue: RCDE Stadium
Real Madrid moved three points clear of FC Barcelona, after securing a 2-0 win over Espanyol thanks to goals from James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema.
Los Blancos were without the services of Cristiano Ronldo and Gareth Bale, which saw Rodriguez and Marco Asensio drafted into the line-up.
Espanyol enjoyed an encouraging start and nearly broke the deadlock after 12 minutes, but Kiko Casilla produced a fine save to keep out Leo Baptistao's effort from close range.
Real were dealt a blow after 20 minutes when Casemiro picked up a knock and was forced off. He was replaced by Toni Kroos.
Los Blancos eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime, as Rodriguez found the bottom corner with a fine strike from the edge of the box.
Real pushed for a second goal and were nearly rewarded in the 59th minute through Benzema, whose acrobatic effort forced Lopez into a superb save.
Benzema was not to be denied after 70 minutes, as the Frenchman turned home Lucas Vazquez's cross to double Real's lead, 2-0.
Zinedine Zidane's charges managed to see out the remaining stages of the half with relative ease, as they maintained their winning start to the campaign.
