MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid successfully defended the top of the Spanish League after beating Granada 2-0 without major complications at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium on Saturday.
Brahim Díaz unclogged the game thanks to a good definition inside the area to a superb filtered pass from Toni Kroos in the 26th minute to open the scoring.
Rodrygo Goes extended the lead in the 57th, after taking a shot in the area after a rebound by goalkeeper André Ferreira after a goal shot by Jude Bellingham.
The meringues went through their ninth matchday without defeat (seven wins and two draws) to reach 38 points and surpass Granada on goal difference — which beat Valencia 2-1 hours earlier.
“I am very happy, for the team and also for the goal. I can see how happy I am; I want to continue playing,” said Brahim. “There is a lot of talent on the team; You can see the team we have, we are all united and we are very hungry.”
The white victory puts pressure on Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona, who have 31 points and will meet on Sunday at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium.
Madrid maintains its good pace in the local season and is perfect in five Champions League games despite having several absences of key elements such as Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga, Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao.
Due to the absences, Brahim has received more minutes, which he has taken advantage of to have three goals and one assist this season.
Rodrygo continues to shake off his slow start to the campaign by scoring for the third day in a row, reaching six goals in the course and nine in the season.
Granada, which did not have a single shot on goal, debuted the Uruguayan Alexander Medina as coach. The team has gone 12 consecutive games without victory (eight losses and four draws) to be second to last with seven points.
For the visitors, the duel was already going uphill before 10 minutes had passed after goalkeeper Raúl Fernández was replaced by Ferreira due to an injury.
GIRONA COME BACK AT THE END
Uruguayan Cristhian Stuani came on as a substitute in the 75th minute to score a double with which Girona came back to beat Valencia 2-1.
Stuani scored the goals for the Catalan team at 82 and 88 minutes. The orange team had gone ahead with a goal from Hugo Duro in the 56th minute.
Girona extended the best start to the championship in its history by celebrating its 12th victory of the course to have 38 points, tied with the leader Real Madrid, the only team that has beaten them in the tournament.
Next weekend they will face Barcelona as visitors in the Catalan derby.
Valencia stagnated in ninth position with 19 units.
In another result, Athletic Bilbao was dispatched with a 4-0 win against Rayo Vallecano at the San Mamés field.
Gorka Guruzeta (23rd minute), own goal by Alfonso Espino (47th), Iñaki Williams (64th) and Nico Williams (68th) scored the winning goals.
The Basque team is 5th with 28 units; Rayo was 11th with 19.
2023-12-03 00:50:40
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