Real Madrid kept the pressure on Barcelona at the top of LaLiga with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol at the Bernabeu. Goals from Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema secured Zinedine Zidane’s side a fourth straight league win, despite Ferland Mendy’s late dismissal. Soon after, Vinicius charged forward before slipping in Benzema down the left but the former France striker shot harmlessly at Lopez. Espanyol were still in the game and Courtois had to be alert to save Marc Roca’s long-range effort with 13 minutes left. But Benzema made the game safe in the 79th minute, lashing home from close range after exchanging passes with Federico Valverde in the penalty area.

Source: Irish Examiner December 07, 2019 14:03 UTC