Marco Asensio sent Real Madrid six points clear at the top of La Liga with a stunning winner from the edge of the area to beat Granada 1-0.
The midfielder has struggled for starts at times this season but he has now scored six times and his trademark left-footed curler, having drifted in from the right, did for Granada keeper Luis Maximiano who had until then kept his team’s head above water.
Time after time Real Madrid threatened but without the duel threat of the injured Karim Benzema and the suspended Vinicius – who have scored 29 goals between them this season – they were struggling to break the visitors down.
Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio celebrates after scoring the winner in the 74th minute
The closest they came to scoring in the first half came from Carlos Neva who almost put past his own keeper but saw his clearance come back off the crossbar.
Toni Kroos, Rodrygo, Isco and Asensio all came close in the first half as Carlo Ancelotti opted to play without a recognized centre-forward in Benzema’s absence.
That changed in the second period as Luka Jovic came on. Eden Hazard also got minutes as Madrid tried to move up through the gears. Hazard thought he had won a penalty after Asensio’s goal but the foul on him was just outside the area.
Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard screams in pain after being fouled by Maxime Gonalons
Madrid deserved the points and did not suffer late on as Granada failed to muster any injury time chances.
Antonio Puertas had drawn a fine save from Thibuat Courtois early on but that was as good as it got for a team who have not won at the Bernabeu for 48 years and are now on a run of five without a victory.
Madrid can enjoy the added breathing space at the top but will celebrate the return of Vinicius and Benzema when it happens. Life is easier with them in the side.
Luka Jovic came on as a second-half substitute as the home side pushed for a breakthrough
‘There are no decisive wins. We just have to keep going until the end of the season,’ said Marcelo after the game when asked about the gap opened up at the top.
‘He has a fantastic shot,’ he added of Asensio whose goal was the difference between the two teams.
‘We found it hard,’ said Carlo Ancelotti. ‘This is not our best moment of form but we got the points. We were not very compact in the first half but we stepped up after the break.’
Carlos Neva almost put past his own keeper but saw his clearance come back off the crossbar
