Casemiro helps Real capitalise on Barcelona's slip-up

Bengaluru, June 29: Casemiro nettted the all-important winner as Real Madrid beat Espanyol 1-0 to capitalise on Barcelona's slip-up and move two points clear at the top of La Liga.

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro slid to the ground to guide the ball home on the stroke of half-time after being played in by a stroke of genius from Karim Benzema, who dragged the ball through the legs of his marker Bernardo Espinosa to find his team-mate.

Casemiro ran straight to Frenchman Benzema to thank him for the pass and dedicated the goal to him.

"The goal belongs to Karim. We're used to the quality he brings to his play and I had to celebrate it with him because it was all down to him," Casemiro said.

Real's players embraced each other when the final whistle arrived to signal a fifth consecutive victory which took them top on 71 points after 32 games. Barcelona, who were held to a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo are second on 69.

Results | Points Table | Fixtures

Espanyol, playing their first game under caretaker Francisco Rufete after he became their fourth manager of a troubling campaign, remain rooted to the bottom on 24 points.

Casemiro was Real's most dangerous player and nearly opened the scoring early on with a wild shot from his own half which forced Espanyol goalkeeper Diego Lopez to scramble back towards his line and push the ball away.

Casemiro then somehow missed the target with a header when he appeared unmarked from close range, but he soon made amends thanks to the quick-thinking of Benzema.

Real looked in control for most of the match but had to endure two nervy moments in the final stages.

Espanyol's Espinosa was inches away from connecting with a ball which flashed across the face of goal while Real defender Marcelo was forced to block a shot in added time which he almost deflected into his own net but the ball skidded wide.

Real Madrid play Getafe at home next while Espanyol are away at Real Sociedad while Barcelona host Atletico Madrid in a mid-week fixture as the La Liga is headed for an exciting finish.

(With inputs from Agencies)