Modric rocket ends Granada hopes of an upset

Away form

The pressure was on Real Madrid CF, who had last won away from home 2-0 at Eibar at end of November, but they started brightly in an open encounter against a Granada CF side boosted by consecutive home wins in the Liga BBVA. Cristiano Ronaldo flashed a shot just wide of the post early on, but the hosts' high line of pressuring caused Zinedine Zidane's side problems.

Benzema scores again

After 30 minutes, Isco played Dani Carvajal in behind the defence and the Madrid right back waited before squaring into the area for Benzema. The France striker had a simple task to divert the ball in from close range to score in his sixth consecutive Liga BBVA match, a feet he had never achieved before. Benzema moved level with Ronaldo on to 19 goals for the season.

Navas and Fernandez

Madrid keeper Keylor Navas had to be alert to cut out the danger from Granada’s pacy frontmen who made life uncomfortable for the visitors’ defence. The Costa Rican was quick to come out of his area in the first half on a couple of occasions, to act as a sweeper, and made a great save just after halftime, blocking a header from David Barral at a corner.

Granada’s keeper Andres Fernandez also had to pull off some top-drawer saves. He flew to push away a Luka Modric effort and soon after was quick off his line to deny Benzema, who had been played into the area by a slide-rule pass from Modric.

Granada level

Modric was caught in possession in midfield with his defence pushed up, and Granada streamed away on a counter-attack. Substitute Youssef El Arabi broke into the area and finished between Navas' legs. That goal made him Granada’s joint highest scorer of all time with Enrique Porta.

Modric winner

Modric made amends for his part in Granada's equaliser when he blasted a long-range effort into the top corner with five minutes to go. The Croatian has a knack of scoring from outside the area and chose a special moment to open his account this season. Third-placed Madrid moved a point behind Atletico Madrid and were four adrift of leaders Barcelona, who have a game in hand.