Real Madrid 1-0 Granada: Marco Asensio strikes late as table-toppers break brave Granada resistance

Asensio's fine individual goal spared Real Madrid's blushes as Los Blancos left it late to beat a stubborn Granada and move six points clear at the top of La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti's side were hoping to bounce back after being dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao in midweek having been held by Elche in La Liga last weekend, but had to make do without Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Casemiro.

Ad/> Thibaut Courtois was called into action as early as the fifth minute when Antonio Puertas was released with a ball over the top but couldn't find a way past the Belgium international. Copa del ReyBerenguer goal gives Athletic victory to knock Real out and reach Copa semi-finals03/02/2022 AT 20:08 That set the tempo for an entertaining first half that ended goalless, despite both teams creating several opportunities, with Granada showing as much attacking intent as their illustrious opponents.

With Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior absent, Carlo Ancelotti fielded Isco in a false-nine role and he teed up Asensio whose 13th-minute shot was pushed behind by Luis Maximiano. The crossbar came to Granada defender's Carlos Neva rescue when attempting to clear Dani Carvajal's teasing first-time cross and moments later Toni Kroos bent a shot agonisingly over the crossbar.

Granada remained a threat on the counter-attack and when Myrto Uzuni was put through on goal he ought to have scored but failed to generate enough power in his shot to beat Courtois. Real Madrid continued to dominate possession, but chances dried up in the second half and by 65 minutes, Carlo Ancelotti had seen enough.

He made a double substitution, introducing Eden Hazard and Jovic. The duo almost made an immediate impact, with the former setting up the