James Rodriguez scored twice as Real Madrid cruised to a 4-0 victory over Granada in La Liga this afternoon.

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The visitors needed less than two minutes to break the deadlock as Karim Benzema cross the ball for Cristiano Ronaldo to slice into the bottom corner for his 17th league goal of the season.

Benzema could have doubled Real's lead a few minutes later when he collected a through ball from Rodriguez, but the Frenchman's shot was blocked.

Carlo Ancelotti's side did extend their advantage before the break as a high ball forward fell to Rodriguez, who controlled carefully before launching the ball into the top corner.

The visitors continued to look the stronger of the two sides early in the second half, and added their third of the afternoon just 10 minutes in when Ronaldo back-heeled the ball for Benzema to fire home.

Adventurous left-back Marcelo tried to make it four a few miutes later, but his long-range effort was kept out by the crossbar, while Ronaldo fired over after playing the ball back in a few moments later.

Ruben Rochina came close to pulling one back for the hosts when a loose ball fell to him in the box, but Sergio Ramos sprinted back to make the block.

Ramos was alert again late on when Dimitri Foulquier carved out some space to try to get a consolation for the hosts.

Rodriguez completed the rout inside the final five minutes when a scuffed Ronaldo shot was left loose in the box, and the Colombian blasted it in.