Eden Hazard Scores 1st Goal for Real Madrid in Win vs. Granada in La Liga

Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga after beating Granada 4-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. 

Eden Hazard got his first goal for Real, while Karim Benzema and substitute Luka Modric were also on the scoresheet before substitute James Rodriguez added a fourth in stoppage time.

Those goals were enough to help Zinedine Zidane's team win for the fifth time in eight matches, despite Granada answering back with a Darwin Machis penalty and a goal from Domingos Duarte.

Real made a swift start when Bale broke in behind the visitors' defence and crossed for Benzema to convert from close range.

The finish continued the Frenchman's prolific and consistent run in the Spanish top flight this season:

Buoyed by the early goal, the hosts piled on the pressure, with raiding right-back Dani Carvajal getting free on the overlap and drawing a fine save from Rui Silva. Carvajalmaking inroads in the final third showcased the freedom Real were enjoying to move the ball at pace between the lines and commit players forward.

Benzema was the next to go close when the No. 9 dragged a volley into the side netting. Carvajal was again in the mix when Hazard played the defender in, only for Silva to once again stand tall and save.

Real remained in the ascendancy, but their momentum was temporarily stalled when Toni Kroos picked up an injury and had to be withdrawn for Luka Modric.

The home side were back on track in first-half stoppage time when Federico Valverdeworked the ball to Hazard, and the winger deftly lifted the ball over Silva:

It was also a landmark moment for 21-year-old playmaker Valverde:

Hazard has experienced a stop-start beginning to his career in Spain, enduring injury and struggles to get fully fit. However, the Belgium international's goal shows he's starting to imprint his distinctive flair on Real's style of play.

Hazard translated the confidence accrued from his goal into another match-winning combination when he teed up Modric to make it 3-0 a minute after the hour mark.

Real were coasting before Alphonse Areola brought down Carlos Fernandez in the box. Machis stepped up and confidently converted the penalty to offer Granada hope.

Hope became genuine belief in a comeback when Duarte met Victor Diaz's cross with 12 minutes remaining.

Holding on to a slender lead didn't force Real to sink back into a rearguard action. Instead, Benzema and substitute Isco both went close.

Rodriguez, who replaced Bale in the closing stages, made the points safe with a smart finish to cap a flowing counter in the 92nd minute.

The Colombian's goal confirmed this as a victory for the strength in depth in Zidane's squad. There is enough talent, particularly in attacking areas, to believe Real will be tough to shift from top spot.

What's Next?

Real return to league action after the upcoming international break with a trip to Mallorca on October 19. Meanwhile, Granada will be in action a day earlier when they host Osasuna.