Real Madrid hit six on return to Bernabeu

Benzema header

Needing to react after drawing 1-1 away at Real Betis last weekend, Real Madrid toreo ut of the blocks at the Bernabeu. Isco had already gone close when James Rodriguez crossed to the back post and Karim Benzema powered a header into the top corner. It was the France striker’s 18th goal of the campaign as he netted in his fifth consecutive Liga BBVA match.

Penalty

Cristiano Ronaldo was brought down in the area for a penalty soon after and the Portuguese forward took on the responsibility himself, stroking home from the spot. Madrid were 3-0 up by the 16th minute, this time the lively James added his name to the scoresheet. The Colombian’s  shot from the edge of the area was deflected in for his fourth goal this season.

Navas save, Ronaldo again

Espanyol came close to pulling a goal back just before the break but Keylor Navas saved well, and Madrid broke straight down the other end to net their fourth. Ronaldo showed great skill to dribble across the edge of the area and strike a left-footed finish past Arlauskis.

Espanyol struggling

The visitors were suffering with a string of key players missing, such as Felipe Caicedo, Gerard Moreno and Marco Asensio, and rarely troubled Navas after the break, and are now without a win in six Liga BBVA outings.

Ronaldo hat-trick

James combined brilliantly with substitute Jese to set up Ronaldo for his hat-trick as they exchanged passes near the touchline. Jese crossed to the back post and Ronaldo dived to head in his 19th goal of the campaign. The former youth team player forced the sixth and final goal when his low cross was tuned into his own net near the end by defender Oscar Duarte.

Madrid close on Atletico

The 6-0 win, the same scoreline from when Madrid visited Espanyol earlier in the season, moved Zinedine Zidane’s side to within a point of second-placed Atletico Madrid, and four short of leaders FC Barcelona.