La Liga: Karim Benzema scores as Real Madrid edge Granada

Karim Benzema scored his second goal in as many games as Real Madrid beat Granada 1-0.

The forward, a target for Arsenal recently, swept home from close range in the first half after Cristiano Ronaldo failed to control the ball.

Mesut Ozil had a goal disallowed while Isco Alarcon smashed a shot against the post.

Granada's best chance fell to Youssef El-Arabi, but his shot was denied by Diego Lopez when through one-on-one.

The victory maintained Real's 100% record so far this season, after they opened their domestic campaign with a 2-1 victory over Real Betis.

Benzema scored in that match, where a late Isco goal was needed to secure victory, and again Real struggled to really stamp their authority on the game against Granada.

Initially, Real looked bright as Benzema shot over the bar from Angel Di Maria's cross before Granada keeper Roberto was called upon to push away another dangerous Di Maria cross.

The visitors deservedly opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Di Maria's deep cross found Ronaldo in acres of space inside the area, his first touch was poor but the ball ran into the path of the onrushing Benzema, who hit a first-time effort into the net.

Ozil lobbed Roberto soon after but the goal was ruled out by the referee. Instead it was Granada who came close to scoring when El-Arabi ran through on goal, but his shot lacked conviction and Lopez made the save.

There was a distinct lack of intensity after that early flurry of chances, with no efforts of note before half time.

Isco struck a low effort against the post after the break, before Roberto did well to get behind a powerful Ronaldo drive.

Granada were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty late on when Diego Buonanotte went down inside the area under a challenge from Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.

But Real survived to scrape an unconvincing victory.