Real Madrid: Top 5 moments from 4-2 win vs. Granada

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Real Madrid’s Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Granada FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on October 5, 2019. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP) (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. James Rodriguez scores his first since return

James Rodriguez has been playing at a high level in his second stint with Real Madrid. Just as Gareth Bale has proven to be an invaluable attacker in the starting XI despite rumors heavily linking him to a move elsewhere this summer, so, too, has James shown Zinedine Zidane that he is still a world-class talent.

After providing an assist and a bevy of chances for his teammates weeks ago against Levante before proving that he can play a scrappier role defensively in midfield against Sevilla, Rodriguez hasn’t been a regular in the Real starting lineup.

In fact, he didn’t even start on Saturday against Granada. But he did join the party as Gareth Bale’s substitute in the final 10-15 minutes, entering the field along with Isco, who replaced Eden Hazard on the left side.

James didn’t get much time to make an impact, but he used the minutes he had on the pitch to make an impression. He looked lively on the counterattack and ended up grabbing the game-sealing goal in stoppage time, cooly finishing pass Rui Silva after finding Alvaro Odriozola’s teasing low ball from the right.

The Colombian star celebrated feverishly, taking his shirt off and hugging his teammates, including Isco, and the frenzied Bernabeu supporters.

Yes, it’s great to have James back.

This goal was his first since returning to Real from a two-year loan at Bayern Munich.

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