Real Madrid 1 Espanyol 0: Marco Asensio strike seals unconvincing Los Blancos victory to maintain unbeaten start

Real Madrid continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-0 win over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu but had the video assistant referee (VAR) to thank.

Marco Asensio struck a low effort into the bottom corner on 42 minutes but it appeared the goal had been ruled out by the linesman. However, after consulting with VAR, referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz correctly awarded the goal.

Coach Julen Lopetegui chose to rest a number of his Galacticos, including Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Toni Kroos, but the gamble paid off as his fringe players came in and impressed.

Isco went close early on, sidefooting wide of the front post after a good cross from Alvaro Odriozola.

However, Espanyol showed in glimpses they deserved to get something out of the game and it was only their profligacy that prevented them coming away from the Spanish capital with a result.

Hernan Perez and then Pablo Piatti missed golden chances within a few minutes of each other as Real were caught high up the pitch.

Asensio's goal calmed the fears of some of the home support, brilliantly powering home from the left-hand side just before the break.

After the interval, the European champions tried to kill the game off; Modric was denied by Diego Lopez before Isco's curled effort sailed inches wide.

Borja Iglesias then capitalised on an error from Sergio Ramos and was unlucky to see his effort, a lob which had Thibaut Courtois beaten, bounce back off the bar.

Despite some late pressure from the Catalan side, the hosts survived to collect all three points and continue their impressive form under Lopetegui.