Real Madrid fulfill their mission in Granada and take second place

Take advantage of FC Barcelona’s misstep to take second place and get closer to Atlético de Madrid. That was Real Madrid’s mission on Thursday night on the road to the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes in Granada. Third with 75 points, Casa Blanca indeed had the opportunity to overtake Barça to return to two points from its neighbor, leader. Opposite, the Rojiblancos had nothing more to play after Villarreal’s victory earlier in the evening. With plenty of absentees in defense, Zinedine Zidane notably aligned youngsters Marvin and Gutierrez. Diego Martínez started Foulquier to the right of the defense and Gonalons in midfield.

Even if the Merengues had the ball early in the game, the locals did not let it go and the match turned into a small battle in the midfield. The first opportunity, not on target, was for Rodrygo (9th) while Benzema also tried his luck and fell on Rui Silva (14th). Zinedine Zidane’s players insisted and the opening goal came. On a good service from Gutierrez in the area, Modric, in a tight angle, sent the ball into the net with a left strike between the legs of the opposing goalkeeper (17th, 0-1). Boosted by this goal, the visitors pushed for the break but Marvin missed the frame (27th). Before finding the flaw again.

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After a badly negotiated counter by Vinicius (45th), Rodrygo returned to the box on the next action and doubled the bet of a cross shot at ground level (45th + 1, 0-2). A goal scored at the best time by Real Madrid, who led 2-0 at halftime. But after the break, the Madrid club kept the same intentions with opportunities from Valverde (46th) and Vinicius (58th). However, Granada reacted with a big opportunity for Suarez who was missing the leather (66th). But the locals were rewarded with a goal from Molina, which followed well after a strike out by Courtois (71st, 1-2). What to give hope to the Rojiblancos? Certainly, but the Merengues quickly regained their senses.

After a good job on the left, Hazard, who came into play in the second half, found Odriozola perfectly at the penalty spot which gave Real Madrid two goals ahead (75th, 1-3). And Granada was crumbling. On an opening, Rui Silva went way too far from his goal and missed to the delight of Benzema, who sent the ball into the empty goal from afar (76th, 1-4). Behind, the Merengues managed and won 4-1. With this victory, the 23rd of the season in La Liga, Casa Blanca took second place and fell two points behind Atlético de Madrid. For its part, Granada remained in tenth place.

La Liga standings here.