Rodrygo helps Real return to the top of La Liga

Spain Hours after losing the top spot to Girona, Real Madrid easily beat Granada 2-0 in round 15 to return to the top of La Liga.

In the earliest match, Girona won a thrilling home win over Valencia. After conceding a goal to Hugo Duro, they took all three points thanks to a brace from substitute Cristhian Stuani in the 82nd and 88th minutes.

Therefore, Real welcomed Granada with the mindset of having to win to return to the top of the table. The Royal team easily completed the goal when dominating, controlling the ball 71%, finishing 11 times with 4 shots on target - while the visitors only had 2 shots off target.

Diaz (number 21) broke free to score the opening goal for Real. Photo: Reuters

The hosts took the lead with their first notable chance in the 26th minute. Brahim Diaz played a one-two with Toni Kroos and received the ball back in the box, controlled it calmly and fired past goalkeeper Andre Ferreira into the near corner. Diaz has been directly involved in six goals in his last eight starts for Real in all competitions, with four goals and two assists. The Spaniard's tally in his first three games was just one assist.

In the 42nd minute, Diaz backheeled for Jude Bellingham to enter the penalty area but his left-footed shot went wide of the post in a one-on-one situation. In the 57th minute, Diaz continued to assist for Bellingham to shoot from close range but failed to beat Andre Ferreira. But this time, the ball bounced to the right position for Rodrygo to swoop in and make it 2-0. The Brazilian striker maintained his winning streak by scoring seven goals in five consecutive matches.

Rodrygo celebrates his first goal for Real in La Liga this season. Photo: Reuters

Coach Carlo Ancelotti assessed that Real had a good match, controlled well, played with concentration, avoided risks, and prevented counter-attacks well. The Italian coach praised Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde had an impressive performance, Dani Carvajal - the defender who made way for Lucas Vazquez after the break - was not seriously injured, and Luka Modric will return in the next match.

With the 2-0 result, Real extended their winning streak against Granada in La Liga to 14 matches, their second-longest consecutive winning streak against an opponent in the history of the competition, behind only 17 victories against Rayo Vallecano between December 2000 and December 2018.

This victory also helped Real return to the top of La Liga with 38 points, ahead of Girona in terms of secondary index, seven points ahead of Atletico and Barca, but having played two and one more matches respectively. In the next round on December 9, the royal team will visit Betis.

Line-up

Real : Lunin, Mendy, Alaba, Rudiger, Carvajal (Vazquez 46), Kroos, Bellingham, Valverdde, Diaz (Paz 88), Rodrygo (Garcia 85), Joselu (Ceballos 70).

Granada : Fernandez (Ferreira 11), Neva, Torrente, Miquel, Manafa (Petrovic 64), Sanchez, Zaragoza (Fernandez 83), Ruiz, Gumbau, Uzuni (Weissman 64), Boye (Puertas 83).

Hong Duy

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