Los Blancos, beaten 1-0 at Real Mallorca in their last LaLiga outing – took just seven minutes to open the scoring through Brazilian forward Rodrygo. German midfielder Toni Kroos soon flicked home a second at the near post.

In the 24th minute, captain Sergio Ramos scored from the penalty spot at the second attempt after his initial kick had been saved by Juan Soriano, who was ruled by VAR to have been off his line.

Karim Benzema finally got a deserved goal when converting a penalty with 20 minutes left.

Substitute Luka Jovic got his first league goal since a big-money summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt when he headed in at the back post during stoppage time.

Real closed up to within a point of leaders Barcelona, both clubs now having played 10 matches.

Earlier, Valencia fought back to draw 1-1 against Sevilla at the Mestalla.

Lucas Ocampos had give the visitors the lead in first-half stoppage time. Los Che thought they had equalised on 75 minutes, only for Manu Vallejo to see his effort ruled out by an offside flag.

Fellow substitute Ruben Sobrino, though, made sure of a point with 10 minutes left when he headed home from a free-kick.

Enis Bardhi and Borja Mayoral were on target in the first half as Levante beat Real Sociedad 2-1 at the Reale Arena.

Substitute Willian Jose reduced the deficit soon after the restart, but the home side could not conjure an equaliser.

Iker Muniain scored twice early on as Athletic Bilbao beat Espanyol 3-0 at San Mames.

Muniain broke the deadlock after just four minutes and the striker soon doubled the home side’s lead when he drilled the ball into the top corner, taking it on his chest as it dropped to him on the edge of the penalty area.

Espanyol’s forgettable night was complete with 11 minutes left when defender Victor Gomez turned the ball into his own net.

Nabil Fekir struck a late winner for Real Betis to secure a 2-1 win over strugglers Celta Vigo.

Brazilian defender Emerson had given the hosts an early lead after just eight minutes.

Iago Aspas equalised from the penalty spot, but, with the 90 minutes all but up, midfielder Fekir had the final say when he slammed the ball in after a corner was not cleared.

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