Spanish League: Luka Modric sparks Real

Real Madrid’s Luka Modric (centre) celebrates after scoring against hosts Granada in their Spanish League match at Los Carmenes Stadium on Sunday. Real won 2-1. (Photo: AP)

Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid remain four points behind the leaders in third thanks to Luka Modric’s stunning strike five minutes from time to snatch a 2-1 win at Granada at the Spanish League.

Real were also very fortunate to remain in the title hunt as they were dominated in large spells by Granada and were rescued by Modric’s fantastic late strike into the top corner from 20 yards.

“Modric scored a great goal that has given us life and, above all, three points,” said Zidane.

“You have to fight until the end and I’m happy that is what we did,” Zidane added.

Karim Benzema continued his fine form since French compatriot Zidane took charge last month as he converted Dani Carvajal’s cross for his seventh goal in five games after half an hour.

Granada’s fine build-up play lacked a cutting edge before half-time, but they got a break to level on the hour mark as Modric crashed into the referee, sparking a counter-attack which ended with Youssef El Arabi slotting home the equaliser.

Real looked jaded and off-form throughout, with Cristiano Ronaldo particularly anonymous, but their best player on the night, Modric, salvaged the three points when he fired home his first goal of the season five minutes from time.

Valencia go down to betis Meanwhile, the pressure continues to build on Valencia boss Gary Neville after his winless La Liga streak stretched to nine games with a 0-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Real Betis.

Valencia remain just four points above the relegation zone as Neville failed to produce the reaction he hoped for following a 0-7 thrashing at the hands of Barcelona in the Copa del Rey in midweek.

“What matters are results. We knew this would be about one or two moments and they have not gone our way,” said Neville.

“It’s just not going for us at the moment. That was a pretty solid away performance. I continue to work, I continue to have belief and any conversations with the owners are between me and the owners,” he added.

Betis hadn’t won for nine league games either, but eased their relegation worries.