Real Madrid welcomed struggling Granada to the Bernabeu on Sunday looking to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to just one point.
Los Blancos led 4-0 at the interval courtesy of a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale's 13th league goal of the season.
Karim Benzema registered two and Ronaldo another in the opening 11 minutes of the second period to leave the hosts 7-0 ahead.
Granada had one back late on through Robert Ibanez, but Madrid had an eighth after 83 minutes when Diego Mainz turned into his own net from close range, before Ronaldo made it nine in the final minute.
Read how the goal glut unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Real Madrid welcome Granada. Both sides are in desperate need of the points at this stage of the season, but for very different reasons. Can Granada pull off one of the shocks of the season at the Bernabeu?
Right, first and foremost, let me bring you the all-important team news from Madrid.
TEAMS:
REAL: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, James; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
GRANADA: Oier; Foulquier, Mainz, Babin, Carlos; Rico, Iturra; Ibanez, Candeias, Rochina; El Arabi
So there we have it. As expected, James Rodriguez returns to the Real Madrid XI this afternoon following a spell on the sidelines with a broken foot. Isco, who is suspended, is the player to drop out, while Alvaro Arbeloa and Raphael Varane come into the back four in place of Dani Carvajal and Pepe. As expected, it is the 'BBC' in attack, with Gareth Bale joining Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Granada, meanwhile, will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation at the Bernabeu, with Youssef El-Arabi leading the line. There are also spots in wide areas for Ruben Rochina and on-loan Valencia attacker Robert Ibanez, while Daniel Candeias is given a spot in midfield. Piti and Riki are both on the bench.
In terms of the recent league meetings between the two teams, it does not make good reading for Granada. Real Madrid have won nine of the last 10 meetings, including a 4-0 victory at Granada earlier this season. In fact, you have to go back to the 1973-74 season to find the last time that Granada won at the Bernabeu. Since then, it has been disappointment after disappointment for the supporters.
Real Madrid have lost six of their 28 league games this season, but the last time that they had lost as many at this stage, they went on to win the league (2007-08 campaign). Los Blancos have only won just one of their last five games in all competitions, however, and a 2-1 defeat at Barcelona before the international break has left them second, four points behind the league leaders.
Real Madrid have been strong at home this season, however, winning 11 of their 13 matches and conceding just eight times on their own patch. On the road, they have won 10 times, but also been beaten on five occasions. In truth, there is little room for slips at this stage of the campaign. Only a convincing victory in this match will do for the demanding home supporters, that is for certain.
Granada, however, are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table. Abel Resino's side have only taken 23 points from their 28 league games this season, with that total leaving them in 19th position. That said, they are only three points from safety and a result here would give them huge confidence.
Granada have only won one of their last eight in the league, however, and were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Eibar last time out. At home, they have been pretty good this season – losing only four of their 14 games. However, it has been a different story on the road, where they have only won once and lost nine times. It is a really big ask for Granada to upset Real Madrid in this one.
PREDICTION! Have a look what I had to say about this one here...
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The home supporters are expecting a response from their team here. The visitors get the first 45 minutes underway here.
It must be said that it is a beautiful early afternoon in Madrid. Everything is set for an interesting game of football. As expected, the hosts have taken control of the possession in the early moments.
Granada have the chance to break as El-Arabi runs away from the Real Madrid back four before finding Candeias, but his effort is blocked. The home side are down the other end moments later, but Ronaldo loses possession in a forward area. It has been a bright opening four minutes here.
Pass, pass, pass from the home side as they probe outside the Granada box, but for the second time in quick succession, Granada catch Real Madrid offside. So far, so good for Resino's team in Madrid.
It is good goalkeeping from Oier as the Granada stopper comes out to claim a through pass, which had been intended for Bale. Real Madrid are in control at the moment, but there have been no clear chances at the Bernabeu. Granada will just attempt to survive the opening 10 or 15 minutes.
CHANCE! First chance of the game comes to Real Madrid as Benzema meets a deep cross from James, but his volley is straight at Oier. Good connection, but comfortable enough save.
Ruben Rochina tries his luck for Granada after finding a pocket of space outside the box, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. The opening 10 minutes of this contest have just flown past.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Real Madrid as Juan Carlos and Oier both hesitate from a long pass, but Bale just cannot make contact with the bouncing ball. Poor defending there.
Ronaldo shows wonderful feet in a wide area before striking one towards the bottom corner, but his effort hits the side netting. Real Madrid are getting closer as this game gathers pace here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to break the deadlock as Ibanez takes advantage of some poor Real Madrid defending before striking one towards the bottom corner, but his effort just misses the post. What an opportunity for Granada to open the scoring at the Bernabeu!
Half-chance for the home side this time as Varane meets a corner from Kroos, but his header is deflected high of the crossbar. Moments later, Benzema's header is cleared by El-Arabi.
Bale tries his luck after finding space outside the box, but his effort is deflected wide for another corner. The pressure is building from Real Madrid, but Granada have defended pretty well here.
Modric shows wonderful feet in a tight area before striking one towards goal, but Mainz is on hand to make a super block. Granada are pinned to the edge of their own box at the moment, but they have done a good job of frustrating the home side thus far. Still goalless with 20 minutes played.
The offside flag goes against Real Madrid once again as Ronaldo breaks the lines before squaring for Benzema, who would have had a simple finish. Granada keep the score to 0-0 at the Bernabeu.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Real Madrid to break the deadlock as Marcelo delivers an excellent cross into the Granada box, but Arbeloa somehow pokes wide from close range. Wow!
Granada continue to have bits and bobs in the final third, while they remain strong at the back as Candeias makes a wonderful challenge to deny Marcelo, who had broken forward.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Granada (Bale)
Real Madrid break the deadlock with 25 minutes on the clock as Bale collects a super through ball from Kroos before rounding Oier and finishing from close range. Calmness personified there!
Granada have the chance to launch an immediate response as Iturra finds himself in a forward position, but the midfielder decides to slide a pass into Candeias and Varane is across to clear.
Another half-chance for the home side as Ronaldo collects a sharp pass from Modric before attempting to curl one towards the top corner, but his effort is deflected behind for a corner.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Granada (Ronaldo)
The home side have their second of the match and Ronaldo has his 32nd league goal of the season as the Portuguese curls one into the bottom corner following a super pass from James. Benzema should have scored moments before, but Granada could not clear and Ronaldo stroked into the far corner.
Real Madrid are threatening to blow Granada away here as James slides another sensational pass towards Ronaldo, but the Portuguese was just lingering in an offside position.
A third for Real Madrid before the break would certainly end this game as a contest. Ramos looks for a pass into Benzema, but the Frenchman just cannot collect and Granada manage to survive.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Granada (Ronaldo)
Real Madrid have their third of the match as Ronaldo smashes home from close range after Oier had parried a cross from Marcelo. Not sure about the goalkeeping, but strong finish from Ronaldo!
Granada need to be really careful that they do not take an absolute hiding in this one.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-0 Granada (Ronaldo, hat-trick)
Real Madrid are going absolutely goal crazy here as Ronaldo flashes one past Oier from outside the box. The goalkeeper really should have saved it, but could only parry into the back of the net.
It is already game over, but Granada will need to be wary of taking an absolute hiding at the Bernabeu, which will do their confidence no favours. The half-time break cannot come quick enough here.
Granada are now playing for pride, but in doing so they are attempting to flood forward, which is leaving all sorts of space down the other end. Real Madrid are in cruise control at the Bernabeu.
CROSSBAR! El-Arabi comes close to registering for Granada as he hammers one from outside the box, but his effort smashes the crossbar before dropping onto the line. Sensational strike!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 4-0 Granada
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Granada 4-0 courtesy of a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale's 13th league goal of the season. The home side have absolutely blown Granada away in the final third, but the visitors have had some decent moments on the counter, with El-Arabi rattling the crossbar late in the first half here.
STATS! Real Madrid have had more of the ball with 58% possession, while they have had 13 attempts - five of which have been on target. Granada, meanwhile, have failed to hit the target with any of their four attempts. No yellow cards to report thus far - it hasn't been that type of game.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has the likes of Fabio Coentrao, Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez on his bench this afternoon, should the Italian wish to alter proceedings. Granada boss Resino, meanwhile, has options in the shape of Javi Marquez, Eddy, Piti and Riki.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will Real Madrid put Granada to the sword at the Bernabeu? It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not all that surprising. However, both teams are in action mid-week and I expect that alterations will occur throughout the second period here.
As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening minutes of the second period. It is going to be a damage limitation exercise for Granada in this second half in Madrid.
Half-chance for Granada as Rochina strikes one from distance, but Casillas manages to claim at the second time of asking after making a meal of the first effort. Moments before, Carlos also tested Casillas.
Marcelo breaks down the left for Real Madrid before feeding Ronaldo, who attempts to chip a cross towards the far post, but it goes behind for a goal kick. It appears that Granada are preparing to make their first change of the match as Modric fires high of the crossbar from outside the Granada box.
GOAL! Real Madrid 5-0 Granada (Benzema)
Real Madrid have their fifth of the match as Benzema brings a corner down on his chest before hammering one into the top corner. Super take from the Frenchman there!
SUB! Granada make their first change as Piti replaces Rochina.
GOAL! Real Madrid 6-0 Granada (Ronaldo)
Number six for Real Madrid and number four for Ronaldo as the Portuguese heads home from close range after a simple cross from Bale. Terrible defending from Granada as three players were left onside.
GOAL! Real Madrid 7-0 Granada (Benzema)
This is getting embarrassing! Real Madrid score their seventh, yes seventh, of the match as Benzema has an effort deflected into the bottom corner from inside the box. Good grief Granada!
SUB! Real Madrid make their first change as Illarramendi replaces Kroos.
SUB! Granada make their second change as Eddy replaces Rico.
Still more than 30 minutes of football remaining here and Real Madrid lead 7-0. They scored eight at Deportivo earlier in the season, but they could well beat that tally at the Bernabeu here.
Ronaldo flashes one just wide of the post as the pressure continues from the home side.
SUBS! Granada make their third change as Murillo replaces Babin. Real Madrid also make their second change as Jese Rodriguez enters in place of James, who has been just excellent here.
SUB! Real Madrid quickly make a third change as Hernandez replaces Benzema.
BOOKING! Piti (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Modric.
Little over 25 minutes of football to play and Granada are just camped outside their own box at the moment as Real Madrid pass and probe. There is still a lot of time for this to get worse for the visitors.
CLOSE! Bale strikes a free kick from a wide angle, but it smashes into the side netting. Unlucky!
Half-chance for Granada as Candeias finds space in a wide area before cutting inside and striking on goal, but again it is a comfortable save for Casillas, who releases Ronaldo in a wide position.
CHANCE! Marcelo delivers a super cross onto the head of Hernandez, but the Mexican's effort is saved by Oier. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining at the Bernabeu here.
CHANCE! Ronaldo comes close to scoring his fifth of the match after collecting a super cross from Bale, but Iturra just does enough to turn the attacker's effort wide for a corner.
CHANCE! Yet another super chance for Ronaldo as Arbeloa delivers a teasing cross into the Granada box, but the Portuguese can only poke his effort wide of the post. He could have had eight!
GOAL! Real Madrid 7-1 Granada (Ibanez)
Comeback?! Well, not quite. However, Granada have a consolation as Ibanez breaks through on goal before chipping his effort past Casillas. Smart finish from the on-loan Valencia attacker.
Well, the early La Liga starts on Sunday are sometimes a little bit disappointing. That has not been the case here! We have had eight goals at the Bernabeu and there is still plenty of time for more.
Bale comes close to scoring an eighth for the home side after a smart pass from Ronaldo, but the Welshman's effort is tipped over the crossbar by Oier. This could have been anything here.
Real Madrid have a free kick in a dangerous area as Mainz brings Ronaldo to the ground...
... Ronaldo strikes the set piece, but his effort was always moving wide of the post.
GOAL! Real Madrid 8-1 Granada (Mainz OG)
Granada concede an eighth at the Bernabeu as Mainz hammers into his own net following a low cross from Jese. Terrible moment from the German centre-back. This is just humiliating here.
CHANCE! Ronaldo has yet another golden chance to score a fifth goal, but he cannot make proper connection on a super cross from Jese. Someone put Granada out of their misery!
BOOKING! Arbeloa (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Ibanez.
Casillas does well to keep out an effort from Eddy, who had found some space inside the Real Madrid box. Is there time for one more goal at the Bernabeu? We must not get too greedy!
BOOKING! Murillo (Granada) is booked for chopping Bale to the ground.
GOAL! Real Madrid 9-1 Granada (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo scores his fifth of the match as the attacker heads a super free kick from Modric into the bottom corner. It is NINE for Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Incredible afternoon here.
We are into the first and only minute of added time.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 9-1 Granada
Just your average Sunday afternoon in Madrid then! Real Madrid hit nine, yes nine goals against Granada to move within one point of the league leaders Barcelona. What a performance from Los Blancos. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
