James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema fire Real Madrid to record-equalling Liga victory at Espanyol

James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema fired Real Madrid to a 2-0 win over Espanyol, a club record 16th straight Liga win that equals Barcelona’s record set under Pep Guardiola in the 2010/11 season.

Without Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale due to illness and injury, Zinedine Zidane’s side moved top of La Liga with four wins from four matches on a comfortable night for Los Blancos, with youngsters Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez impressing.

Indeed, it was an evening for the club’s fringe players, with James also taking the rare opportunity of a starting place with both hands, scoring the opener from which Real Madrid never really looked back.

Benzema added his name to the score sheet later on in the second half, with Espanyol struggling to turn their possession of the ball into genuine goalscoring opportunities. Real Madrid now sit at the top of the Liga table after four games, but Zidane will feel his side are capable of even better once their big-name players return.

It’s widely accepted that James was placed firmly on the transfer list at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, with his lofty transfer fee the only thing preventing him from leaving Real Madrid.

He has been ostracised by Zinedine Zidane, with the Colombian only handed a starting place in light of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence.

But he scored the opening goal and made an impression throughout. Could he still have a future as a Galactico? On this showing, certainly.

This was a largely disjointed performance from Real Madrid, but Carvajal enjoyed one of his best displays for the club.

He provided a constant attacking outlet down the right side, stretching the pitch and making the most of the visitors’ threat on the counter attack.

He didn’t have much competition for the Man of the Match award, but he was the best player in purple on the pitch.

Espanyol - D.Lopez 7, J.Lopez 6, D.Lopez 5, Duarte 5, Sanchez 6, Diop 6, Roca 5, Perez 5, Piatti 6, Baptistao 7, Gerard 5. Subs - Caicedo 5, Vazquez 5, Reyes 5.

Real Madrid - Casilla 7, Carvajal 8, Pepe 5, Ramos 4, Marcelo 7, Casemiro 4, Modric 7, James 7, Lucas 7, Asensio 7, Benzema 6. Subs - Kroos 7, Isco 5, Morata 5.

8’ LUCAS COMES CLOSE! The youngster beats one man and cuts inside, getting a left footed shot away at goal. But his effort flashes past the far post with Asensio unable to get on the end of it.

10’ FREE HEADER FOR RAMOS! The Real Madrid centre-back ghosts into some space around the centre circle, but he can only direct his header wide from James' corner kick.

13’ WHAT A SAVE! Pepe gets caught under the ball, allowing Baptistao clean through on goal. But Casilla came out quickly to make the stop with the legs from the Espanyol striker.

42’ JUST PAST THE POST! Another good chance for the home side. Lopez whips a wicked cross into the box, with Baptistao flashing a header towards the goal. But it drifts wide of the target.

45+2’ GOAL! Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid: What a sensational goal! James wins the ball about 25 yards out and finds the bottom corner of the net with an excellent low drive past Lopez!

59’ GREAT SAVE, GREAT SAVE! Asensio nods back to Benzema to save a deep cross to the back post, with the striker firing off a shot at goal on the volley. But Lopez pulled off the save!

69’ BENZEMA HAS A SHOT SAVED! The Real Madrid striker got the shot away on goal very quickly, going for the element of surprise, but Lopez got down well to make the save.

70’ GOAL! Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid: There's the second goal and that should be the points secured for Real Madrid! Benzema made a run to the front post to finish from Vazquez's low cross.

75’ GOOD SAVE FROM CASILLA! That was the chance for Espanyol to get back into this match, with Caicedo wrangling a chance from nothing, but the keeper was alert enough to push the deflected effort over.

Real Madrid equalled a Spanish Liga record by beating Espanyol, winning their last 16 straight league fixtures.

Only two managers have won 16 games in a row in Liga history: Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane.

James Rodríguez has scored more goals from outside the box than any other midfielder in Europe's top five leagues since 2014/15.

Real Madrid have had 11 different scorers over four games to start the league season.