Isco netted a brace as Real Madrid recorded a 2-0 win over Espanyol in Sunday night's La Liga clash at the Bernabeu.
Los Blancos entered the match 10 points behind league leaders Barcelona, but that gap is now back down to seven entering the international break courtesy of a two-goal success on home soil.
The big team news for Real Madrid was that there was a La Liga debut for 18-year-old Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi, who was handed a start due to the absences of Dani Carvajal and Marcelo at the back.
Meanwhile, Marco Asensio and Isco joined Cristiano Ronaldo in the final third as Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema missed out through injury.
As for Espanyol, Pablo Piatti was ruled out of the match due to a muscular problem, which saw Marc Roca come into a team which included both Gerard Moreno and Leo Baptistao in the final third of the field.
Isco should have sent Real Madrid ahead inside the first 20 seconds after meeting a through pass from Sergio Ramos, but the Spaniard could not find a route past Espanyol goalkeeper Pau Lopez.
The home side, as expected, dominated the possession in the opening 10 minutes, but Espanyol enjoyed a decent period as the first half developed, with Sergi Darder causing problems in an advanced midfield position.
It took until the 22nd minute for Real Madrid to have another attempt of real note, and Luka Modric's effort drifted wide of the away side's post as the score remained 0-0 at the mid-point of the first period.
Ramos was next to come close as the Real Madrid skipper met a Ronaldo cross at the far post, and his header brought a wonderful save from Pau.
Zinedine Zidane's side continued to threaten, and finally the breakthrough arrived in the 30th minute when a clever pass from Ronaldo released Isco, who finished under the onrushing Pau.
Ronaldo had the opportunity to make it 2-0 less than one minute later after collecting a brilliant cross from Asensio, but the number seven missed the crossbar with a wild effort.
Ronaldo had another chance in the 33rd minute after breaking into the Espanyol box, but the forward could not beat Pau, who was the busiest man on the field in the first half of action.
For all of Real Madrid's dominance in the first period, Espanyol came close to levelling in the 44th minute when the ball broke for Moreno inside the home side's penalty box, but the striker's effort rebounded off the foot of the post.
Sergio Garcia and Marc Navarro both came off the Espanyol bench at the interval, and the latter had a wonderful chance to level the scores in the 50th minute after being set up by Darder, but the Spaniard saw his attempt saved by Keylor Navas.
Espanyol had another opening in the 56th minute when Garcia found space outside the Real Madrid box before delivering towards Navarro, and the substitute came close to making contact as the hosts rode their luck once again.
Real Madrid were struggling in the second period, but Espanyol were full of ideas, and Baptistao came close to finding Moreno free inside the home side's box in the 63rd minute as the visitors continued to threaten.
Espanyol had another brilliant opportunity 20 minutes from time when Moreno took the ball away from Ramos before looking to feed Baptistao, but Nacho came across to make a goal-saving challenge.
Real Madrid broke immediately down the other end, however, and doubled their lead courtesy of another super finish from Isco, who had collected a pass from Asensio inside the Espanyol box.
Modric had a decent opening 10 minutes from time after finding space outside the Espanyol box, but the Croatian's attempt was deflected wide of the post, before substitute Lucas Vazquez just failed to meet a cross from Isco.
Ramos had Real Madrid's final chance of the match in stoppage time, but the centre-back headed a Ronaldo cross wide of the post as it finished 2-0 on the night.
Spanish champions Real Madrid will return to action with a trip to capital rivals Getafe after the international break, while Espanyol's next league match is at home to Levante.
Matt Law
