Associated Press
Madrid, Sept 19: Real Madrid equalled a record set by arch rivals Barcelona as James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema scored in a 2-0 defeat of Espanyol in the La Liga, Sunday.
It was the 16th straight league win for Madrid, going back to last season, matching Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in the 2010-11 season. Madrid maintained a three-point lead over Barcelona with their fourth straight league victory this season.
Celta Vigo and Valencia remained winless, while Villarreal stayed near the top thanks to a spectacular goal from near the halfway line by Italian striker Nicola Sansone.
Real’s victory came despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, who were rested by coach Zinedine Zidane. “What is important is to keep adding points,” Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla said after the game. “We are happy because we won again and have maintained our lead.” Real incidentally, are the only team to have won four straight games to start the league.
Rodriguez opened the scoring by converting a penalty kick in first half injury time, his first goal in five months for the club and Benzema sealed the away victory from close range in the 71st minute with a tap in that beat rival goalkeeper Diego Lopez hands down.
“We played a great game from the start with concentration and enthusiasm. The best way to get the points is to come out fired up like we did today (Sunday),” Zidane told ‘Movistar Plus’
