Real Madrid fired their way back into the La Liga title race with a Clásico win over Barcelona, and they've kept the pressure on their rivals with a comfortable win on Saturday. Granada have been hard for big teams to break down away at times since their rise to the top flight, but Los Merengues were on the board two minutes into this game and never looked back, eventually winning 4-0.
Granada vs. Real Madrid: Final score 0-4, Los Merengues coast
Carlo Ancelotti fielded his first team, and they were hardly tested.
Cristiano Ronaldo added to his ludicrous goal total with the opener, set up directly by Karim Benzema, but indirectly by some great effort on the part of Dani Carvajal. It appeared he'd been dispossessed, but he fought to win the ball back on the right flank and poke it to Benzema. Madrid's center forward cut the ball back for Ronaldo, who picked out the far post and placed a perfect shot into the back of the net from just inside the box.
The best goal of the afternoon was scored by James Rodriguez in the 31st minute, with Benzema racking up another assist. His backheel flick to James was spectacular, and the finish -- a volley that looped over Roberto -- was even better.
Unfortunately for Los Merengues, the second half ended with an injury. Dani Carvajal, who’s been in and out of the team with fitness concerns this season, had to come out in the 38th minute, with Alvaro Arbeloa replacing him.
Madrid sealed the result in the 54th minute, with Ronaldo turning provider for Benzema on this occasion. Apparently, he wanted to match his forward partner, and set up the goal with a gorgeous backheel of his own. The pass ran perfectly into Benzema’s path, and he finished from the top of the box to put Madrid up 3-0.
Granada hardly challenged Madrid on the night, and Iker Casillas had very little work to do. Their best chance probably came in the 67th minute, when Ruben Rochina had a shot blocked off the line by Sergio Ramos, then put his follow-up over the bar.
James added a second goal in the 86th minute, though Granada complained that the goal wasn’t called back for offside. Cristiano Ronaldo looked level with the ball when he got a foot to a squared pass by Arbeloa, and James was in good position to follow up and bundle the ball over the line for Madrid’s fourth.
Granada: Roberto, Carlos, Murillo, Babin, Nyom, Sissoko, Pascual (Marquez 46'), Iturra, Foulquier, Isaac (El Arabi 50'), Cordoba (Rochina 65')
Goals: None
Real Madrid: Casillas, Marcelo, Ramos, Pepe, Carvajal (Arbeloa 38'), Isco, Modric (Khedira 76'), Kroos, James, Ronaldo, Benzema
Goals: Ronaldo (2’), James (31’, 86’), Benzema (54’)
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