DHAKA: A first-half goal from Karim Benzema guided Real Madrid to a 1-0 win at Espanyol in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal on Tuesday.

Record signing Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo started alongside Benzema in a strong Madrid line-up.

Bale provided the assist for Benzema`s goal, flicking Alvaro Arbeloa`s cross on for the France forward to head in.

Real Madrid`s strike-force of Gareth Bale (10), Karim Benezema (13) and Cristiano Ronaldo (30) have scored a total of 53 goals for Real Madrid this season.

The teams will meet again on 28 January with Real, one point off Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, goal.com reports.

BDST: 1838 HRS, JAN 22, 2014