Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari has paid tribute to the performance of Karim Benzema in Sunday's 4-2 win over Espanyol.

Benzema netted his eighth and ninth La Liga goals of the campaign in the victory, which was the team's fifth success in their last six matches in all competitions.

The 31-year-old has already scored four more league goals than he managed in the whole of last season, while he is just two away from his total from the 2016-17 campaign.

"Benzema always gives complete performances. Today he scored two beautiful goals, but this only confirms what he has been doing all season and for most of his career," Solari told reporters.

Despite showing encouraging signs in recent weeks, Madrid are still third in La Liga, 10 points off leaders and reigning champions Barcelona.