Real Madrid scored a late goal to overcome a determined Granada at the Nuevo Los Carmines Stadium on Sunday.
Los Galacticos headed into the match with the aim of catching Catalan rivals Barcelona, who had a seven-point lead on the top of the table. It would be a difficult task as the hosts came onto the pitch with a spring in their step as Abalberto Penaranda struck home for the Rojiblancos only to be flagged offside.
Cristiano Ronaldo was again a threat up front for the visitors as he flashed a shot wide of the opposition goals.
On the half hour mark, it was Karim Benzema who found himself in the right place at the right time, tapping home a cut-back from Dani Carvajal. The momentum began rolling for Los Blancos but goalkeeper Andres Fernandez was on hand to deny the Frenchman his second.
A deserved equaliser came midway through the second term via substitute Youssef El-Arabi, who slotted the ball through the legs of an approaching Keylor Navas. Despite the hosts’ best efforts, Real found a breakthrough with Croatian midfielder Luka Modric scoring from well outside the area.
It was not quite the form that saw them defeat Espanyol 6-0 but nonetheless they still have one clear goal ahead. That is, Barcelona.
Granada
Andres Fernandez – 6: Could not do much to stop either goal.
Ricardo Costa – 3.5: Could not contain Benzema and allowed him too much room.
Lomban – 6: Read the play well and was excellent in the air.
Miguel Lopes – 6.5: Was a strength out wide and was able to keep tabs on Ronaldo.
Dimitri Foulquier – 4: Did not see and/or track the run of Carvajal in the opening goal.
Fran Rico – 5: Average game for the midfielder but managed to still pull the strings in the centre of the park.
Ruben Perez – 6: Able to maintain posession under pressure and managed to negate the effectiveness of several Real plays forward.
David Barral – 4: Did not do well coping with the pressure up front.
Isaac Success – 6.5: Was a nuisance for the Real defence due to his directness and physicality.
Abalberto Penaranda – 7: Enjoyed finding space in behind the Real defence.
Ruben Rochina – 7: Perfect passing and assisted El-Arabi’s goal.
Substitutes
Rene Krhin – N/A: No impact.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – N/A: Like the Slovenian, could not have an influence.
Youssef El-Arabi – 6.5: Scored the equaliser.
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