Real Madrid lead La Liga thanks to goal on video review

MADRID, Sept 23 (AP): It took some help from video review to put Real Madrid on top in the Spanish league.

Marco Asensio's first-half winner to beat Espanyol 1-0 on Saturday was initially waived off for offside but eventually stood after assistance from the VAR, which is making its La Liga debut this season.

"In the end there was justice. I'm glad the VAR worked," Asensio said. "I had already told (the referee) I didn't think I was offside."

The win at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium left Madrid one point ahead of Barcelona, which plays on Sunday against Girona at Camp Nou Stadium.

Madrid rested regulars such as Gareth Bale and Marcelo following its opening win against Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Thibaut Courtois, playing in goal after Keylor Navas started in the Champions League, saved Madrid in one of the few good chances created by Espanyol in the first half, and Borja Iglesias almost equalized but struck the crossbar in the second half after a mistake by Sergio Ramos.