Agency :
Real Madrid remain top of La Liga on Sunday night after two late Karim Benzema goals gave them a 3-1 win away to Espanyol.
Benzema sidefooted Rodrygo’s cross home in the 88th minute to put his side back in front after they had failed to break down a dogged Espanyol defense in the second half.
He then added another in the 10th minute of injury-time from a free kick, after Espanyol keeper Benjamin Lecomte was sent off for fouling Dani Ceballos outside the area.
Espanyol had only won two of their last 27 games against Madrid, so it was no surprise when Vinicius Jr put them ahead after 11 minutes after a neat pass from Aurelien Tchouameni.
Joselu equalized for Espanyol and saw Thibaut Courtois deny him a second, but there was always an inevitability that Madrid would win.
Jules Kounde was at last able to make his debut for FC Barcelona, although Robert Lewandowski made the headlines as Barca enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win at home to recently-promoted Real Valladolid.
Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele had both hit the woodwork before the Polish striker scored at the far post following a cross from Raphinha.
Pedri’s well-placed shot made it 2-0 three minutes before half-time and Lewandowski added his second with a deflected back-heel, before Sergi Roberto’s injury-time tap-in rounded off a good night for Xavi Hernandez’s side.
The drama in the 0-0 draw between Getafe and Villarreal came late in injury-time when the visitors thought they had a penalty for handball, only for the VAR to correct the referee’s decision.
