Benzema bang on the money as Madrid win

REAL MADRID came from behind to see off Girona and continue their winning start to the season, Karim Benzema grabbing a second-half brace in a 4-1 scoreline.

Girona had been surprise winners in the same fixture last term but despite threatening a repeat when Borja Garcia opened the scoring, they could not contain Julen Lopetegui’s side at the Montilivi.

Penalties either side of half-time – a Panenkastyle effort from Sergio Ramos and a clinical strike from Benzema – shifted the momentum before Gareth Bale made it two in two LaLiga games since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.

Benzema popped up again late on to add the gloss and ensure Real matched Barcelona’s six-point haul.

Once again Keylor Navas kept summer signing Thibaut Courtois on the bench, a foreboding replacements list which also included World Cup winner Raphael Varane and player of the tournament Luka Modric.

Meanwhile, Espanyol saw off Valencia thanks to two goals in seven second-half minutes.

After a goalless first half, the hosts hit the front after 62 minutes when Esteban Granero bent a right-footed freekick into the bottom corner.

Borja Iglesias doubled Espanyol’s lead with his first LaLiga goal and 2-0 was how it finished as Rubi’s side added to the draw at Celta Vigo in their opener.

Villarreal earned a goalless draw at Sevilla in yesterday’s other game to claim their first point of the season.