Good evening and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Copa Del Rey quarter-final first leg between Espanyol and Real Madrid. We'll bring you all the action and goals as they go in. Kick-off: 20:00.

Sidnei hasn't learned his lesson and doesn't close down Ronaldo on the edge of the box. But the Espanyol defender gets lucky once again with Ronaldo flashing his low drive past the left hand post.

Real Madrid are cranking up the pressure as the final 10 minutes of the first half come into play. Can they find a second before the break? That would really put them in command of this tie.

He might not have the record of Ronaldo or Lionel Messi but Benzema's goalscoring should be recognised as well. He's been in great form over the past couple of seasons.

Illarramendi must know that Casillas is left footed? That was a very strange backpass to give his keeper.

Almost a horror own goal by Real Madrid! Illarramendi plays a speedy backpass to Casillas, who tries to recover the situation, but can only watch as the ball dribbles out for a corner kick. Misunderstanding.

There's a sparkling look in Ronaldo's eyes that suggests that at some point tonight he will catch light and he'll burn a whole through the net. He looks in the mood, even if not much has come off so far.

I wonder how much Pizzi is ruing that missed chance from earlier in the half. He could have put his side 1-0 up and now instead they're chasing the game.

That was Benzema's 13th goal of the season and I believe his 101st goal for Real Madrid. He's in great form at the moment.

Now Benzema is out on the wing and plays a brilliant cross into the box for Ronaldo, who turns his back to goal and tries an audacious overhead kick,but he just fails to make contact. That was close.

GOAL! Espanyol 0 Real Madrid 1 (25 mins - Karim Benzema). The French striker reacts quickest to Bale's flick-on at the near post and heads beyond Casilla, who can't quite claw it away.

Real Madrid are controlling the ball at the moment, with Modric pulling the strings from his position in the centre of midfield. I know I've said it already but he really is a class act.

Sidnei gave Ronaldo far too much space on the edge of the box when he received the pass from Modric. Aguirre is on the touchline pointing that out to his defender. He can't do that again.

Espanyol may be enjoying a good spell but that's a warning of what Real Madrid can do to you at any one time.

Ronaldo hits the post! The Real Madrid number seven takes control of the ball just inside the box, performs a great turn and shoots across the face of goal, but his shot rebounds off the inside of the woodwork!

Espanyol are looking dangerous on the attack. Sergio Gomez in particular is causing the Real Madrid defence problems. Can they make the most of that advantage though?

Real Madrid should really be trailing here. That was a glorious chance for Pizzi. I can't believe he didn't hit the target at least!

What a chance! Sergio Garcia does brilliantly to get to the byline after beating Marcelo and Ramos before squaring for Pizzi. He has all the goal to aim at from about eight yards but he blasts over! Oh dear.

Bale gets his head on a corner kick delivery but he gets too much of a connection on his effortat the near post and the ball sails over the bar.

Ronaldo tries to get down the outside of Rodriguez but the makeshift rightback gets a block in to prevent the ball from making it into the penalty area. The corner kick comes to nothing.