Benzema scores brace in Real’s win

Karim Benzema netted twice and Gareth Bale scored a trademark goal as Real Madrid overcame an early scare at Girona to win 4-1.

Seeking their second win of the new La Liga season, the European champions went behind after Borja Garcia opened the scoring for Girona with a superb goal after 17 minutes.

Real briefly looked rattled as Girona probed and Marcelo was continually exposed in the Real defence.

But the inevitable comeback started when Marco Asensio was sent tumbling to the turf by a clumsy challenge and captain Sergio Ramos scored with an audacious 'panenka' penalty on 39 minutes.

Asensio won his side's second spot kick as Pere Pons lunged at the Real forward.

This time it was Karim Benzema who stepped up to stroke home the penalty for his first goal of the season.

Bale produced a typical finish for Real's third goal, sprinting away from the Girona defence after being released by a wonderful pass from Isco and calmly steering the ball home.

Benzema scored his second on 80 minutes as he collected Bale's tempting cross and had time to turn and power the ball home.

The referee referred the goal to VAR for suspected offside but the goal was allowed to stand.

‘No Ronaldo no problem'

Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui insisted after a come from behind 4-1 win at Girona that a "keep calm under pressure" attitude would deliver the goals previously scored by the prolific but now departed Cristiano Ronaldo.

"We kept calm under pressure and played well enough in the second half to deserve the victory. We were flying forwards too quickly in the first half, we were too keen to attack," he said.

"We were calm and clear and had plenty of space. When we have that this team gets going, it works and the goals start to flow," he said.

"This time it was Gareth, Karim and Sergio, but we don't mind who gets them as long as we get them," he said.

Real Madrid have yet to sign a direct replacement for the Ronaldo, who switched to Juventus in July.