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Karim Benzema second goal in two games was enough to give Real Madrid victory at Granada[Photograph by Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images]
Real Madrid came away from Granada with a narrow 1-0 win as Karim Benzema scored his second goal of the season.
An Angel Di Maria pass over the Granada defense found Cristiano Ronaldo alone in the box, but his touch deserted him as he couldn’t control the pass. Benzema was quick to pounce on the loose ball to slot it past the keeper and give Real Madrid a 10th minute lead.
Mesut Ozil had a goal disallowed while Isco Suarez hit the base of the post, before Ronaldo went close to adding a second in the final minute.
Reported Arsenal targets Angel Di Maria and Benzema linked up in the fourth minute when a Di Maria through ball from the right wing found Benzema on the edge of the six yard box, but the Frenchman could only hit the side netting.
Soon after Real took the lead, Ozil put the ball in the net with a lob over Roberto Alvarellos, but it was ruled out by the referee.
Granada’s best chance came in the 19th minute as a Real Madrid counter-attack broke down inside their own half and a lofted pass saw Youssef El-Arabi one on one with Real Madrid’s Diego Lopez, but a tame shot was gathered with ease by the goalkeeper.
Isco smacked a low shot against the post in the second half with a solo effort, and Granada ‘keeper Roberto held on well to save a powerful Cristiano Ronaldo shot.
The El-Arabi chance apart, Granada were limited to long range strikes, none of which troubled Diego Lopez in the Real Madrid goal.
Real were lucky not to concede a penalty late on when Granada’s Diego Buonanotte went down under a challenge from Brazilian midfielder Carlos Henrique Casemiro.
Ronaldo again went close to scoring when he dribbled into the middle from the left hand side, but dragged his shot wide of the near post.
Real held on for an unconvincing victory to take six points out of a possible six in La Liga this season.
