Madrid two points from title despite late Granada scare

Real Madrid can win the league on Thursday if they win at home to Villarreal. If they draw then they will only need a point away to neighbours Leganés to be crowned Spanish champions.

Granada have their own European ambitions as they too looked to cap off a fine season with something to show for it. However, it was a very lacklustre performance from the Andalusian side in the first half.

And they were made to pay for sitting off and letting Los Blancos pass the ball about when Mendy opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

Mendy, who was filling in for the injured Marcelo, worked his way into the box and used a quick burst of pace to get away from the defenders before firing the ball into the roof of the net and beating Rui Silva at his front post. They doubled their lead five minutes later.

Benzema took the ball into the box and Madrid's top scorer fired the ball into the bottom corner and past the helpless Granada keeper. Granada barely threatened in the first half and had to wait until the 35th minute to get their maiden shot on target when a Duarte header was routinely parried by Courtois in the Madrid goals.

However, it was a different Granada that came out in the second half and they were easily the better side over the 45 minutes. And they gave Madrid a scare when Machís pulled one back in the 50th minute.

The ball was played through to him and the Venezuelan beat the Madrid goalkeeper at his front post. Diego Martínez's men smelled blood and wanted that all important equaliser. They had a couple of efforts that went wide with Isco having Madrid's only shot of the half.

But the hosts couldn't find the leveller as Courtois saved well from Antoñín before Ramos cleared off the line to keep up their 100% post-COVID break record. Granada find themselves tenth and four points behind the European places. 

July 13, 2020