Espanyol v Real Madrid - as it happened

FT: Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid! All over at the RCDE Stadium and it was much closer than the scoreline suggested. Joselu cancelled out Vinicius' goal in the first half and then, Benzema scored in the 88th minute before the Frenchman scored a free-kick against the sub GK after Lecomte had been sent off for DOGSO. That's all from us, thanks for joining us and see you again soon!

Cabrera catches the ball and that's that!

Benzema makes it 1-3!!! The Frenchman hits it and Cabrera is left rooted to the spot. Espanyol had used up their changes and the outfield player can't make the save.

Lecomte is given his marching orders and the hosts are complaining, but it's very clear.

The ref is taking a long time, but I think this is very clear. It should be a red for DOGSO and a free-kick.

The referee is going to the screen and Lecomte will be given his marching orders. It can¡'t be a goal as it's offside.

VAR are checking as Lecomte fouls Ceballos and I think this will be a free-kick to RM and a red to Lecomte for DOGSO.

Real Madrid score again, but the flag's up! A long ball forward by Courtois sees Lecomte collide with a defender, Ceballos plays for Rodrygo and he taps in, but it's clearly off.

Benzema heads one and Lecomte tips over the bar.

Six added minutes.

Benzema makes it 1-2!! Rodrygo plays a beautiful ball to Benzema and he volleys in at the back stick! That's cruel on Espanyol.

Vinicius goes down in the box, but it's no penalty. It was a clean tackle by Gil.

Espanyol throw a long ball into the box and RM deal with it.

RM sub: Ceballos is on for Kroos.

Benzema's effort is deflected behind for a corner. Espanyol are very upset as Rodrygo was caught by Exposito from behind. I think it was a foul.

The home side get themselves a corner, but nothing comes of it.

RM have a free-kick and the referee calls for an end to the pushing and shoving.

Espanyol sub: Bare replaces the injured Souza.

VAR confirms it's just off while Souza is getting treatment.

Benzema scores, but it's offside!! Camavinga starts the move, his effort is blocked and then Kroos' shot is turned in by Benzema! I think he's just off, but VAR will check it.

Benzema hits over the bar, but it's offside.

Almost 1-2!!! Rodrygo gives to Camavinga on the counter, he gives to Benzema and Lecomte makes a good save!

Joselu denied!! Olivan's ball into the box finds Puado at the back stick, he lays off for Joselu who does an air swing and then forces a fine stop out of Courtois at the second attempt!

Corner to Espanyol.

RM double sub: Camavinga and Rodrygo on for Modric and Valverde.

Benzema heads a cross wide, but the Frenchman's offside.

The game's end to end at the moment and Valverde's low cross is cut out by Souza.

R Sanchez runs forward and gets the corner.

Puado! Espanyol cut back from the by-line, Joselu can't control and Puado's shot is deflected for a corner.

Madrid appeal for a penalty, but the referee isn't interested.

Vinicius is caught offside.

RM counter through Benzema and he gived to Vinicius, but the hosts get it away.

Espanyol get us going once again!

HT: Espanyol 1-1 Real Madrid!! Half-time in Barcelona and Espanyol are level despite being second best for most of the half. Vinicius gave RM the lead after 12 minutes with a nice finish, but Espanyol picked up in the last five minutes and Joselu took advantage of some good fortune to level just before the break. Back for more shortly!

There was a huge slice of luck in that goal, but Espanyol aren't complaining.

Espanyol make it 1-1!! The ball is played to Joselu by Gil, his deflected shot is saved by Courtois onto Militao's back and the ball drops perfectly to Joselu who hits home!

How did that not go in??? The corner finds Cabrera's head, the ball bounces and goes millimetres wide of the far post!

Corner to Espanyol.

Espanyol are trying, but Courtois has had just one save to make so far.

Souza tries his luck from distance and he forces Courtois into a fine save.

Kroos shoots and Calero gets his head to the goalbound effort to prevent it being 0-2.

RM have a free-kick and Exposito stupidly concedes the corner by heading back towards his own goal.

Vinicius!! Vazquez's cross finds Vinicius at the back stick, he controls and then hits wide of the far post.

RM remain in control here.

RM lose the ball in their own half, Puado's shot is deflected behind for a corner despite RM's claims of handball.

The first one definitely hits Tchouameni's chest.

Claims for two handballs in the box by RM, one at least is from Tchouameni. The ref isn't interested though.

Vinicius! The Brazilian is given the ball by Valverde and his strike is tipped over by Lecomte.

Corner for Ancelotti's men.

RM get a free-kick in their own half. They are comfortable up to now.

Benzema shoots and it's deflected behind for a corner.

RM had started well and now lead with their first major chances. How will Espanyol respond?

Vinicius gives RM the lead!! Tchouameni plays a one-two with Valverde before playing a beautiful through ball to the Brazilian and he makes no mistake.

Puado is caught by Tchouameni and the ref awards the free-kick.

Kroos is fouled on this near side and they can swing this one in.

L Vazquez puts a ball into the area which the hosts boot out for a throw.

Militao is down after Olivan makes a strong tackle on him. The follow through may have caught him on the ankle.

The game has started at a terrific tempo.

RM are having the some early possession in this one.

RM get us going in the black from right to left while Espanyol are in blue and white!