Sergio Garcia's attempted through ball takes a huge deflection off the referee and rolls all the way back to Keylor Navas. Imagine if it has flown past him into the net!

This isn't great.

Gareth Elvidge: How can it not be a success with three, yes three Champions League medals? Not many British players have one, let alone three. He is unfortunate (and fortunate) to be in same team as Ronaldo, who with Messi is a freak of his time (in a good way)

Espanyol make a switch now, Esteban Granero, a former Real Madrid - and QPR - midfielder replaces Victor Sanchez.

First change of the game. Isco walks off at one mile and hour and here comes Karim Benzema, who scored a penalty at the weekend.

A reminder that we won't be seeing Cristiano Ronaldo as he's not in the squad at all.

A bit of quick passing around the box for Real and Marcos Llorente blazes it over.

Every entry I write involves Gareth Bale, this time the resulting corner hits him on the shin and goes to Espanyol keeper Diego Lopez.

Gareth Bale has a shot blocked and a defender just hoiks it away. Is hoik a word?

Gareth Bale does shoot this time but it's well over from a similar range to last time.

Gareth Bale runs at Espanyol's defence, but doesn't shoot for some reason. Mateo Kovacic does but barely stings the keeper's hands from 25 yards.

Ball comes across to Espanyol striker Gerard Moreno but it almost catches him by surprise and his volley is saved by Keylor Navas.

Moreno has scored 13 goals this season, their next top scorer Leo Baptistao has five in all competitions. Nobody else has scored more than one La Liga goal.

Ben Kennedy: I think a La Liga, two Super Cups, two Club World Cups and three Champions League is generally considered a success

JV: 3 CLs...

Mubanga Chabala: ....not so much

Real Madrid right-back Achraf Hakimi comes forward in a bid to score a third goal of his career but his effort from 16 yards can't beat Diego Lopez at his near post.

Now Espanyol have a chance but Victor Sanchez just lifts the ball into Keylor Navas' arms from the edge of the box.

Espanyol hit the top of the crossbar with a looping Sergi Darder header from the corner. It was one of those shots that never looks like going in until it hits the woodwork and you think 'oh that was closer than I realised'.

Oooooh. The ball is down near the byline on the bounce and Sergio Garcia volleys it towards goal - it's a really tight angle - Keylor Navas has to get down low to touch the ball around the post. A chance from nothing.

Espanyol have an early attack but they're caught offside. Then Real come forward but Marco Asensio can't find a team-mate.

The second half is under way at the boringly named RCDE Stadium.

John McEnerney: re Ope’s comment, Steve McManaman was a success in Madrid - respected by his team-mates and the press, spoke the lingo which is a big thing for the media plus won trophies like Bale. Apart from not speaking Spanish I think Gareth Bale has done all right

Yahya Magaji Hammado: If "success" in football means lifting trophies then he is successful,but if trophies mean nothing for club,now he has failed.

Musk Up: Bale's time seems a bit like being a team mate of Schumacher's in his pomp. He's done his bit and kept his head and put in some great performances. But the top guy remains the top guy, has huge clout and is just too good to be touched or challenged

No injury time - we're level at the break.