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Karim Benzema strike wins it for Real Madrid

By , Reporter
Karim Benzema's strike gives Real Madrid a 1-0 win against Espanyol in the Copa del Rey.

Real Madrid squeezed past Espanyol 1-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie at Estadi Cornella-El Prat.

Karim Benzema scored his 14th goal of the season after 25 minutes when he reacted quickest from Gareth Bale's flick-on to nod home.

Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the opener during the Spanish Copa del Rey quarter-final first-leg football match against Espanyol on January 21, 2014© Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo went close with a 30-yard strike before Sergio Garcia nearly grabbed an equaliser after the restart.

Madrid hammered at the Espanyol door in the second period, but they found Kiko Casilla in inspired form.

The keeper denied Ronaldo, Alvaro Arbeloa and Angel di Maria before Iker Casillas made an important save down the other end towards the end of the game from Jhon Cordoba.

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Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid vs Malaga on October 19, 2013
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Read more about Karim Benzema Cristiano Ronaldo Iker Casillas Angel di Maria Jhon Cordoba Alvaro Arbeloa Kiko Casilla Gareth Bale Sergio Garcia Football
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid21154250203049
2Atletico MadridAtletico21136235142145
3Barcelona21133559243542
4Athletic Bilbao21117331181340
5Villarreal219753932734
6Mallorca219391926-730
7Rayo Vallecano217862524129
8GironaGirona218492929028
9Real Sociedad218491717028
10Real BetisBetis217772326-328
11Osasuna216962530-527
12Sevilla217682430-627
13Celta Vigo2174103033-325
14Getafe215881717023
15Las PalmasLas Palmas2165102634-823
16Leganes215881929-1023
17AlavesAlaves2156102533-821
18Espanyol2155112033-1320
19Valencia2137112036-1616
20Real ValladolidValladolid2143141442-2815
> La Liga Full Table


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