La Liga: Countrymen Mendy and Benzema score as Real Madrid maintain top spot after 2-1 win at Granada

Granada 1 - 2 Real Madrid. Photo: AFP via GettyImages via ES

Leaders Real Madrid moved to within one win of the La Liga title after surviving a scare against Granada.

France defender Ferland Mendy opened the scoring with a ferocious finish from a tight angle before countryman Karim Benzema doubled the lead.

But Real were forced to endure a nervous second half after Darwin Machis fired through Thibaut Courtois' legs.

Zinedine Zidane's side are four points clear of nearest rivals Barcelona with two games remaining.

Full-Time: Granada 1 - 2 Real Madrid ⬇

🏁 FT: @GranadaCdeF_en 1-2 @realmadriden
⚽ Machís 50'; @ferland_mendy 10', @Benzema 16'#RMLiga | #Emirates pic.twitter.com/iyeR8bnJd6

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 13, 2020

Given Real's superior head-to-head record over Barca, Real require two points from their final two games, at home to fifth-placed Villarreal on Thursday and at relegation-threatened Leganes on Sunday, to win the league.

"We have to be happy and rest up for Thursday," said Real boss Zidane after his side's ninth successive win since La Liga resumed in June.

Nine wins out of nine games for Real Madrid ⬇

9⃣ / 9⃣
1⃣ step closer.#HalaMadrid | #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/wH9Oi2CdEm

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 13, 2020

"We will be back training on Tuesday and we will be back on the pitch on Thursday. The final minutes were tough. Granada made us defend a lot in the second half."

Watch: Real Madrid Boss Zinedine Zidane after the match - "we played a very good first half" ⬇

👔🗣️ #Zidane: "To win @LaLigaEN you have to suffer, and these are three very important points for us."#RMLiga | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/yMlplNu802

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 13, 2020