Real Madrid vs. Espanyol: Goals and Highlights from 2016 La Liga Game

Manager Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid side hosted Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday evening looking to keep Barcelona and Atletico Madrid within reach at the top of La Liga.

They got off to a bright start, taking the lead through Karim Benzema after just seven minutes.

"

James + Karim 'He -scores-when-he-wants' Benzema makes it 1-0 @ 7mins pic.twitter.com/idJTNEZi79

— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) January 31, 2016"

Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the lead from the penalty spot five minutes later:

"

But de #Ronaldo sur penalty ! 2-0 #RMAESP pic.twitter.com/B3EUyP8fJ0

— Real Madrid Fr (@MadridByLuLu) January 31, 2016"

It was 3-0 within 16 minutes when James Rodriguez's strike took a huge deflection on its way into the net:

"

But de #James 3-0 #RMAESP pic.twitter.com/mc9lAR824m

— Real Madrid Fr (@MadridByLuLu) January 31, 2016"

Ronaldo made it 4-0 just before the break with a real beauty. 

The second half was a calmer affair, but Ronaldo still had time for his hat-trick.

"

Que gran jugada entre #James y #Jese que acaba con gol de Cristiano Ronaldo 5-0 #Hattrick pic.twitter.com/s4O9gzLIPX

— Real Madrid 4ALL (@realmadrid4all) January 31, 2016"

It was his eighth goal against Espanyol this season. 

And just before the end, Espanyol scored an own goal to make the final score 6-0

"

87' Duarte O. (Own goal) Real Madrid 6-0 Espanyol 31.01.2016 21:30 - https://t.co/mpcFB390bF через @DailymotionUSA

— Korytko Bogdan (@korytkobp) January 31, 2016"

[Twitter]