After a slow first half, Real Madrid did enough after the break to see off Granada and earn a sixth straight victory across all competitions.
Madrid triumphed 2-0 courtesy of a second-half header from Casemiro, which was was set up by impressive substitute Marco Asensio, and a late clincher from Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid v Granada: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats
We have taken a look at some of the best and worst performers from Wednesday’s La Liga match.
✔️ GOOD PERFORMANCE
Sergio Ramos: 7.5
Captain Ramos was excellent at the back, winning four of his five aerial duels and racking up nine recoveries to help his side to a clean sheet.
The 34-year-old also completed 80 passes, the most of anyone on the pitch.
Karim Benzema: 7.2
Benzema had been relatively quiet until he collected a pass from Isco, cut inside from the right and sent a fine left-footed shot beyond Rui Silva from 20 yards to conclude a ruthless counter-attack.
The striker now has six goals and two assists in his last five games, form which has proved vital to Madrid’s recent revival.
Marco Asensio: 7.1
Asensio came on in far from ideal circumstances after Rodrygo left the field on a stretcher, but he changed the game with an excellent performance on the left.
He almost scored with outrageous flick from Dani Carvajal’s cross which struck the post and then dug out an excellent cross to set up Casemiro’s winner.
It was Asensio’s first goal involvement of the 2020/21 season, one which Zinedine Zidane will hope leads to a more productive second half of the campaign.
Asensio had six touches in the box – more than anyone else on the pitch despite not playing the whole game – and also had four crosses.
❌ BAD PERFORMANCE
Lucas Vazquez: 5.9
Vazquez was Madrid’s worst performer on the night despite being handed the chance to impress on the right of Zidane’s front three.
In 78 minutes on the pitch, he only had one shot – which did not find the target – and zero completed dribbles.
⭐ STAR MAN
Casemiro: 8.3
Casemiro was inspirational in the Madrid derby win earlier this month and he was in fine form again here as his side joined city rivals Atletico Madrid on 32 points.
As well as his goal, which saw him rise well to convert a downward header after 57 minutes, the midfielder had a game-high four interceptions as well as six recoveries.
Real Madrid v Granada: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats
