Real Madrid dominated the first half to open up a 2-0 lead over Espanyol at the Bernabeu at half time in La Liga this afternoon.

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The home side came close to opening the scoring inside the first 10 minutes when Gareth Bale crossed the ball in for Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Portuguese forward could not make contact.

Real were denied by the post a few moments later as Karim Benzema hit the ball on the half-volley, only to see his effort bounce back off the upright.

The hosts were ahead inside the opening quarter of an hour though, as Ronaldo provided the cross for James Rodriguez to slot into the bottom corner.

Rafael Varane had a chance to double the lead a few minutes later when the Madrid side forced a corner, but his header was wide of the target.

Real did get a second though, when Bale stepped up to take a free kick, thumping the ball into the back of the net off the post, and continued to dominate the play until the half-time whistle.