Granada 1-4 Real Madrid summary: score, goals, highlights, LaLiga 2021/22

A solid second half from Real Madrid with two goals was enough for Ancelotti's men to secure maximum points and return to LaLiga summit. A brief rally from Granada at the end of the first half was all the local side could offer and their task was made that little bit more complicated by Monchu's straight red card for a reckless challenge on Vinicius.

Goals from Asensio, Nacho, Vinicius and Mendy with a lone strike from Suarez for Granada see Madrid gead into a complicated schedule on a positive footing.

Granada 1-4 Real Madrid

Montoro to take ....once again a fine save from Courtois to deny the home side as the whistle sounds in Granada and Madrid secure mazimum points.

Corner for Granada and the action may be the last.

Two minutes of time will be added here in Granada.

Molina heads and Courtois saves well after a sublime ball from Neva. Late rally from the home side as Madrid sit deeper knowing that the three points are secure.

Granada almost get a second as Ruiz and Sanchez combine, the flag was up however so it wouldn't have counted.

5 minutes remain in Granada and Real Madrid just playing the game out now with Granada now looking forward to their next game (away to Athletic Club) as the referee points to the spot...but no ... he's given offside.

With this scoreline, Real Madrid sit aloft the LaLiga table but could be leap-frogged again by Real Sociedad who play later (vs Valencia) in San Sebastian.

Vallejo set to make an entrance with Alaba the player making way.... Huge round of applause for the defender who spent two seasons with the Andalusian outfit.

Ten minutes remain here in Granada. More problems for the home side as Suarez goes down in some pain. Granada have made all their changes as Isco is carded for fouling the striker.

Changes imminent too for Real Madrid: Camavinga, Isco and Jovic set to make their way onto the pitch....Modric, Kroos and Benzema making way

Escudero on for Granada with Soro making way

It was on the cards and Real Madrid have been immense in this second half.

Shots on target: Granada 1-7 Real Madrid

Benzema almost makes it four as Rodrygo feed the Frenchman who drives inches wide. Madrid looking for the fourth and Granada penned back deep inside their own half.

Ancelotti thinking of forthcoming games in giving Vinicius a breather.

Vini off for Rodrygo (first sub for Real Madrid)

Vini Jr now the source of ire for the home fans as he is roundly booed each time he touches the ball.

Granada's task which was already an uphill struggle, becomes that little more compliocated with just ten men on the pitch.

Granada fans furious with the decision as is Robert Moreno, as the ref makes his way to the coach who is also awarded a red card.

Red card for Monchu as he scythes down Vinicius who was in free flow. Possibly harsh but he took no prisoners in ensuring the Brazilian didn't advance.

Another free for Madrid as Vinicius is impeded by Monchu. A long way out for a shot as Kroos is set to strike. Casemiro volleys back into the area and Granada manage to clear the danger.

Montoro carded for a rash challenge on Nacho. First card of the night for the Granada man.

Madrid well on top now with the cushion of two goals adding more breathing space for the men in blue. Luis Suarez has an effort but his half volley blazes wide. Suarez is the only Granada player really causing problems for the visitors today.

Triple change for Granada:

Gonalons, Diaz and Rochina make way for Torrente, Molina and Ruiz

8 goals for Vinicius in LaLiga this season !

Gooooooool. Real Madrid make it 3.... Benzema, to Modric and Vini Jr. taps into an empty net with a fine team goal.

17,000 fans in attendance this afternoon, over 90% capacity crowd at the Estadio Nuevo los Carmenes.

Benzema is through on goal and an amazing intervention from Quini clears the danger. The flag was up however so it wouldn't have counted.

Madrid look menacing each time they go forward with shades of the start of the first half when the side in dark blue were in charge. Granada chasing the game as they were for the first 25 minutes of the first period.

Kroos almost makes it three for the visitors as his right footed effort goes inches wide of Luís Maximiano's post.

The ball breaks to Montoro and the substitute sees his name in lights as he aims for the spectacular and blazes high and wide.

Carvajal has a pop from range and the Spain international sees his effort whistle wide of the Granada post. Bright start for Real Madrid with the interval coming perfectly for the side from the capital just as Granada started to grab a foothold in the action.

Vinicius almost sneaks in but fine work from Diaz averts the danger for Granada.

Puertas makes way for Montoro

Madrid are the first side to take to the pitch and it appears that Montoro may be thrown into the fray for Granada.

Wonderful snap of Granada's Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium before the showdown with Real Madrid.

One minute of added time as the whistle sounds for the interval. Great end to the game after a slow burn start to the action in the Nuevo Estadio los Carmenes. Madrid in charge for the bulk of the game and the goal from Luis Suarez has amended the script with the home side the better as the half came to a close.

Suarez strikes and Courtois saves as Granada almost draw level. The half time break will be better welcomed by Ancelotti's side who have been driven back somewhat since the Suarez goal for Granada.

Surprisingly discreet afternoon from Karim Benzema this afternoon in Granada and just as we say that, the French striker almost makes it 1-3 as the Granada keeper saves the day for the home side.

Last five minutes of the half in a game that has come to life in the past 15-20 minutes after a sluggish start.

Granada almost draw level as Courtois pushes the ball into Quini's path and the right back lashes the ball into the side netting. Best spell for Granada who are clearly lifted by the Suarez goal.

Game on in Granada. Decent response from the home side and one feels there are plenty more goals to come in this game.

Monchu takes a series of corner kicks for Granada as Madrid break and the men in blue launch a lightning counter as Asensio sees the ball cleared from the Granada line. Almost 0-3 for the side from the capital which would have been game, set & match for Madrid.

Diaz strikes from range and the ball is deflected wide .... A quick reply from the home side would be the ideal tonic for the Nazaries but to be fair, Courtois in the Real Madrid has yet to be tested in this 27 minutes or so of action so far this afternoon.

Corner for Madrid and Granada are somewhat on the ropes as they try and dust themselves down from the goal. Kroos takes, goes short to Modric, back to Kroos and Nacho rifles into the roof of the net in a well worked move.

The sun has made an appearance in Granada and bathes the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes in brightness. The upper reaches of the stadium afford a wonderful view of the local Sierra Nevada in one of Spain's finest cities!

Madrid had been knocking on the door and a slip up from Granada enables Madrid to counter ...a slick assist from Kroos and cool finish from Asensio just made the evening for Roboert Moreno and his side that little more complicated.

Real Madrid now embark on a run of key games between now and Christmas with a packed schedule of a game practically every three days.

LALIGA

Real Madrid's post international break 'Mount Everest' schedule

Madrid totally on top possession wise

Approaching the 15 minute mark and Madrid on top with Granada offering brief flashes with Luis Suarez a dangerous outlet for the local side.

Decent hit from Vinicius as the Brazilian tries his luck from range. Straight at Luís Maximiano and easy for the Portuguese stopper.

A draw or win for Madrid today would be good enough for Ancelotti's men to recover top spot in LaLiga. Real Sociedad are in action  later tonight as they face Valencia in San Sebastian in the late game.

Real Madrid enjoying the better of the opening spell and some clumsy passing from the side in red and white who, on a few occasions now have been generous in giving the ball away to the visitors.

Granada go close and Alaba is called upon to avert the danger after fine work from Luis Suarez. Corner for the home side.

Luís Maximiano under pressure from Benzema gives the ball away but the Granada rear-guard are alert and clear the danger.

Benzema almost latches on to a lose ball after decent work from Asensio who pulls the ball back from the by-line.

Real Madrid set to start the action and off we go in Granada.

Both sides will hold a minute's silence as a protest against domestic violence.

Despite the inclement weather conditions, it's a packed house in Granada for the visit of Real Madrid.

All set in Granada with both sides posing for the protocol pre game photos.

A reminder of the starting XI's for those just joining us.

Benzema prepares as rain falls in Granada

Granada-Real Madrid: weather

Rain is currently falling in the city and is expected to last for the bulk of the game which may impact on the attendance level. It's currently a mild 14C/59F in the Andalusian city.

Vallejo back in Granada

The central player has yet to appear for Ancelotti's side in the 2021/22 LaLiga campaign and today gets a rare inclusion today in Real Madrid's match-day squad. The Zaragoza born defender spent two seasons with the Andalusian side (on loan) in 19/20 and 20/21 and has yet to really establish himself with the Santiago Bernabeu side.

Granada... 7 wns in 55

The last time Granada overcame Real Madrid was back in 2013 when an headed own goal by Cristiano Ronaldo was enough for the Andalusian side secure a rare win over the men from the Spanish capital. Ten games between both sides have ended in draws.

Granada-Real Madrid: match official

Juan Martínez Munuera (Alicante) is today's man in charge with Estrada Fernandez his VAR assistant.

Granada will sport their classic red and white hoops today with Madrid set to play in their all blue away kit.

Granada are still struggling to find a consistent vein of form under new coach Robert Moreno with the former Spain manager coming under criticism from the Nazarie locals with the defeat to Espanyol in the last LaLiga outing seeing detractors shapen their knives.

Real Madrid come into this afternoon's game on the back of three consecutive 2-1 wins with maximum points for Ancelotti's side against Rayo and Elche in LaLiga and a similar win against Shakhtar in the Champions League

and just confirmed ... the Granada starting XI

Despite this being officially match day 14 of the 2021/22 LaLiga campaign, today's clash in Granada will be the 13th game for both Los Blancos and Granada in their league campaign this season, but both, as was expected, are facing very different challenges.

Sitting one point off top spot in LaLiga Santander, but with a game in hand over Real Sociedad, Madrid are keen to push on after the break as they continue on their quest for another domestic title. Granada on the other hand sit 17th, level on points with Elche in the relegation zone.

No Granada XI confirmed as yet

Without further ado, let's bring you the team news... This is how visitors Madrid will start:

The action at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes gets underway at 16:16 (local time)/ 10:15 (ET)

Hello and a very warm welcome to our live LaLiga coverage ahead of Real Madrid's visit to Granada.