Real Madrid ease past Granada to put the pressure on Atletico

Madrid started the match strongly, dominating the ball in the early stages of the match but without generating any serious chances. Their first real opportunity came after 14 minutes, when Vinicius picked out a fine cross for Karim Benzema. The Frenchman rose well for the header but a fine stop from Rui Silva denied him the match's opener.

However, Madrid only had to wait another three minutes for that to come, thanks to a fine finish from Luka Modric. The Croat was found in space in the box thanks to a beautiful assist from youngster Miguel down the left, who created a chance out of nothing. The RM academy graduate was part of Zidane's surprise team selection in Granada, which saw Kroos, Hazard and Asensio left on the bench - however he soon repaid his manager's faith!

Perhaps another unexpected addition was Rodrygo, but he too made it clear why Zidane had included him in in his starting line-up. The winger nicked the ball back on the edge of the box, before being played in into space down Madrid's right. He used his pace to run clear into Granada's box and did what his compatriot Vinicius was unable to numerous times in the match - finish the chance. The Brazilian flashed a fine finish across Rui Silva to put Madrid two up mere minutes before the break.

Real Madrid started the second half how they finished the first, with Valverde flashing a shot over the bar barely 20 seconds in. Vinicius had another effort saved by Silva, before the home side finally grew into the match. Soro's cross from the left was inches away from being turned into an empty net by Suarez from two yards out, but he couldn't quite reach the ball. Granada did eventually pull one back through veteran Jorge Molina, who was jogging on the spot to turn home the rebound on 71 minutes after Suarez's shot was well saved by Courtois.

The home side's joy was short-lived, however, as Madrid scored two goals in two minutes to end the contest. Odriozola scored their third, striking home Hazard's pull back from the penalty spot after Modric had found the Belgian brilliantly. A goalkeeping howler from Rui Silva gifted Madrid their fourth of the match, as he came rushing out to the edge of the box to intercept a looping pass. The keeper didn't get enough on it, the ball falling kindly for Benzema who stroked home from distance into an empty net.

The convincing victory puts Real Madrid second in La Liga, just two points behind leaders Atletico. Following Barca's slip up against Levante and Sevilla's dropped points in recent games, what started as four initial contenders has been narrowed down to the two Madrid teams to fight for the La Liga title.