Luka Modric saves Real Madrid with late winner at Granada

Luka Modric struck a stunning late winner for Real Madrid as they kept their Liga title hopes alive with an unconvincing 2-1 win over Granada.

The result gave Zinedine Zidane his first away win as Los Blancos boss, and the club’s first victory on the road since November. After wins for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona earlier in the weekend, it was imperative that Real Madrid picked up three points themselves - which they did, albeit with plenty of fuss.

Granada gave as good as they got for much of the contest, with Adalberto Penaranda and Isaac Success impressing for the home side. The Liga strugglers looked good value for a point until Modric’s late winner.

Real Madrid now trail Barcelona by just four points, although the Catalans hold a game in-hand. But anything less than a win at Granada would have surely given them too big a gap to claw back between now and May.

17’ SHOULD THAT HAVE BEEN A SPOT-KICK? Success goes down inside the area under the challenge of Ramos, but the forward gets back up to his feet instantly. Refreshing, really.

31’ GOAL! Granada 0 Real Madrid 1: There's the opener for the away side! Carvajal finds space down the right, squares for Benzema who finishes from very close range. That was a tap-in.

51’ WHAT A STRIKE FROM MODRIC! The Croatian midfielder struck that on the half-volley from the edge of the box, drawing the flying save from Fernandez. That was finding the top corner.

53’ THAT WASN'T FAR AWAY AT ALL! Rochina let fly from about 25 yards out, but the ball flashed over the angle of bar and post of Navas' goal. Good effort from the Granada man.

60’ GOAL! Granada 1 Real Madrid 1: What an impact from the sub! Modric gave the ball away, Rochina slots in El Arabi, who prods the finish past Navas in the Real Madrid goal.

74’ SUCCESS WANTS THE PENALTY! The Granada forward goes down under the challenge of Navas inside the area, but the referee shakes his head and continues play. Big call.

83’ CARVAJAL NEEDED TO MAKE THAT BLOCK! Success had the chance to shoot from inside the box, but the Real Madrid full-back was down quickly on the slide to block the effort.

86’ GOAL! Granada 1 Real Madrid 2: What an important goal for Real Madrid and Zidane! Modric unleashes the shot from about 25 yards out and finds the top corner of the Granada net. Wow! Sensational!

Real Madrid won an away game in La Liga for the first time since November 29th (2-0 against Eibar).

Eight of Luka Modric’s nine goals Real Madrid have come from outside the penalty box.

Youssef El-Arabi equaled Enrique Porta as Granada’s all-time top goalscorer in La Liga (34).

Real Madrid’s troubles on the road hit them hard again, as their front three struggled to make an impression. Karim Benzema found the net, but Cristiano Ronaldo was well below-par as the final third understanding lacked that special something. And that special something might be Gareth Bale, who was missing once more. The Welsh winger might have demonstrated his importance in his absence against Granada.

The Croatian midfielder dictates and controls Real Madrid play more than any other player, normally providing the ammunition for those of a more attacking mindset. But in this instance it was Luka Modric himself who struck the all-important blow, smashing home a strike from the edge of the box with time running out. With a shot like that, why doesn’t he shoot more often?

Granada - Fernandez 6, Lopes 6, Lomban 6, Costa 5, Foulquier 5, Rico 5, Perez 6, Success 7, Rochina 7, Penaranda 7, Barral 6. Subs - Krhin 5, El Arabi 7, Doucoure 5.

Real Madrid - Navas 6, Carvajal 6, Varane 6, Ramos 5, Marcelo 5, Kroos 6, Modric 8, Isco 5, James 5, Ronaldo 5, Benzema 7. Subs - Jese 5, Nacho 5, Kovacic 5.

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