French Ligue 1

And moments later it is Monaco who almost break the deadlock. Layvin Kurzawa, lurking at the far post, appears to have the easiest task of converting into the gaping PSG goal. But he doesn't bank on PSG right-back Gregory van der Wiel scrambling back to hook off his goal-line.

French Ligue 1

PSG are denied the opening goal by a wonderful reaction save from Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic. Young winger Jean-Christophe Bahebeck, a half-time substitute for Marco Verratti, tries to catch him out by shooting from a tight angle, only for the Croatian to acrobatically push over his crossbar.

I sense a Bale goal might be coming here. Ronaldo squares to the Welsh winger, who cuts across a drive from the edge of the box and stings the fingertips of Iraizoz. By the way, Ronaldo is one goal away from his third hat-trick in four league games.

Spanish La Liga

Real are showboating now. Benzema's cute back-heel tees up Bale on the edge of the area but he curls is shot narrowly wide.

Athletic counter with their best chance of the game. Ibai Gomez creeps in at the far post to meet a cross with his head and Casillas expertly turns his effort around the post.

Absolutely ruthless again from Real. Bale exchanges passes with Benzema then crosses low for Ronaldo, who has a simple tap-in from four yards. I wonder if Brendan Rodgers is watching ahead of Liverpool's Champions League meetings with Real. Good luck with your tactics Bren.

Image source, AFP

French Ligue 1

Back under way in Paris as injured skipper Thiago Silva settles into his padded seat for the second half.

Spanish La Liga

Ancelotti runs his fingers through his grey mane of hair as Bilbao start the half on the front foot. It's not long, though, before Real are carving out another great opening. Ronaldo places the ball into the path of Bale, but Laporte does brilliantly to throw himself towards to the ball and hurry the Welshman into a finish that flies high and wide.

Italian Serie A

Is that a huge sigh of relief I can hear all the way from Naples? I'm sure it is. Rafa Benitez will be relieved to see his side level against Torino through Lorenzo Insigne's thumping header.

Image source, EPA

We're back under way in the Spanish capital. Rafael Varane replaces Sergio Ramos at half-time.

Real Madrid only had five shots to Athletic's three in that half but they lead 2-0. That's what happens when you have world-class goalscorers like Ronaldo and Benzema in your ranks. The hosts had 57% of possession and barring a miracle look certain to be signing off for the international break in good order.

Italian Serie A

While we reflect on the action in the Spanish and French capital cities, let's nip across the Mediterranean to find out what's happening in Italy.

Fiorentina are leading 2-0 against Inter Milan after first-half goals from Khouma Babacar and Juan Cuadrado, who you may remember starred for Colombia in last summer's World Cup.

And things are going from bad to worse for ex-Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez. His Napoli team, who finished third last season, have suffered a mixed start to the campaign and are now trailing 1-0 against visitors Torino.

Image source, EPA

Former England left-back Ashley Cole:, external The lads played well today and we were unlucky not to get a point. We'll bounce back after the break!

Opta Jean:, external The last four Ligue 1 games between PSG and Monaco have ended with a draw.

French Ligue 1

And that effort, along with PSG midfielder Marco Verrati's push on Monaco rival Geoffrey Kondogbia (earning him a yellow card), is the last action of an entertaining first half. Delicately poised is this one.

Image source, AFP

French Ligue 1

The frame of the PSG is still rattling after Belgian midfielder Yannick Ferreira Carrasco smashes a first-time shot against the home crossbar. Best chance of the match in the dying moments of the first half.

Spanish La Liga

The whistle goes in the Bernabeu to wrap up a very satisfying 45 minutes for Ancelotti and his merry men. As things stand, they look to be marching back towards the top four.

French Ligue 1

Javier Pastore whips in a dangerous cross from the right which flashes across the Monaco goal. But no-one in dark blue is there to prod in.

Minutes later, there is another let-off for the visitors. Another inviting centre, this time from Maxwell on the left, just skims the forehead of PSG striker Edinson Cavani and the ball flies harmlessly wide.

PSG pressing for the opener.

Far too easy. Luka Modric's corner is a regulation delivery to the edge of the six yard box and Karim Benzema leaps above his marker to head down and in.

Image source, Reuters

Ronaldo, oozing menace, cuts in from the left and squares for James Rodriguez, but the Colombian's first touch is heavy, as it has been all game, and Atletico win back the ball.

Image source, AFP

Opta Jose:, external Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 42 goals in his last 34 appearances in La Liga (1.2 goals per game)