The win takes Real Madrid to 60 points at the top of the La Liga 2021-22 table, nine points clear of second-placed Sevilla. Benzema scored in 83rd minute.
Marco Asensio scored in 63d minute before Vinícius Júnior doubled the lead for Real Madrid. Karim Benzema scored final goal via penalty.
After the loss, Athletic Bilbao stayed in eighth place with five points less than fourth-placed team Barcelona, which is the final Champions League spot.
Celta Vigo's Franco Cervi broke the deadlock in the 67th minute before Roger Martí equalized for Levante in the 82nd.
Gonzalo Melero scored the lone goal of the match that saw Levante handing an embarrassing deafeat to Atletico Madrid in La Liga 2021-22.
Espanyol, which is winless in its last five league games, hasn't beaten Barcelona in La Liga since February 2009.
While Barcelona stretched their unbeaten run to 5 matches, Valencia suffered their fifth defeat out of the last seven league games played.
Real Madrid have 54 points to their credit as they continue to lead the La Liga 2021-22 table. They are four points away from second-placed Sevilla.
Dani Alves, who scored one of Barcelona’s four goals was sent off on 69 minutes against Atletico Madrid in La Liga 2021-22.
Real Madrid also needed a stoppage-time goal from Eder Militao to secure a 2-2 draw against Elche in La Liga 2021-22.
The comeback victory ended Atletico Madrid's three-match winless streak that included elimination from Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup.
