On February 2, 2013, the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes witnessed one of the most unexpected results of the decade as relegation-threatened Granada CF defeated powerhouse Real Madrid 1-0. The defining moment arrived in the 22nd minute when Cristiano Ronaldo accidentally headed a corner kick past his own goalkeeper, handing Granada their first victory against Los Blancos in over four decades.
José Mourinho’s star-studded squad arrived in Andalusia distracted by upcoming fixtures and bogged down by domestic inconsistencies. Meanwhile, Lucas Alcaraz's disciplined side executed a masterclass in defensive resilience, frustrating Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Luka Modrić for the full ninety minutes. This fixture stands as a timeless reminder of how tactical discipline and raw determination can bridge massive financial and qualitative divides in top-tier European football.
The Backdrop: Real Madrid's 2012-2013 Domestic Struggles
To understand the magnitude of this upset, we must look at Real Madrid's turbulent 2012-2013 La Liga campaign. Fresh off a record-breaking league title under Mourinho where they amassed 100 points, Los Blancos experienced a severe championship hangover. Internal friction, reported dressing room divisions, and an unstoppable Barcelona side meant Real Madrid were already trailing badly in the title race by February.
Mourinho made notable rotations with an eye on upcoming Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League commitments, yet still fielded a formidable starting XI featuring Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira, and Sergio Ramos. However, mental fatigue and a lack of creative spark plagued Madrid's early-year away form.
Granada's Relegation Battle
On the opposite end of the table, Granada were fighting tooth and nail for survival under newly appointed manager Lucas Alcaraz. Sitting dangerously close to the drop zone, the Nazaries needed every single point they could scrape together at home. Their strategy relied on compact low blocks, physical duels in midfield led by Mikel Rico, and quick transitions through wide players like Gabriel Torje and Nolito.
Playing at the Nuevo Los Cármenes always offered a hostile environment for visitors, and the crowd of 22,000 created an intense atmosphere that rattled the reigning champions from the opening whistle.
The Turning Point: Ronaldo's Unfortunate Mistake
The match's solitary goal arrived midway through the first half. Granada won a corner kick on the left flank. Nolito whipped an out-swinging cross toward the near post. Cristiano Ronaldo, tracking back to assist his defense on set-pieces, leaped to clear the danger.
Instead of making clean contact, Ronaldo misjudged the flight of the ball, sending a firm header past stand-in goalkeeper Diego López and into the back of his own net. It was the first own goal of Ronaldo's professional career, sending the home supporters into wild celebrations and injecting palpable panic into the Real Madrid ranks.
Tactical Breakdown: How Granada Stifled Los Blancos
Conceding early forced Real Madrid to chase the game, playing right into Granada's defensive structure. Alcaraz set his team up in a rigid 4-4-2 that restricted space between the lines, effectively starving Özil (who was absent or neutralized) and Modrić of passing lanes.
- The Low Block: Granada defenders Diego Mainz and Íñigo López marshaled the penalty box with absolute authority, winning crucial aerial duels against Madrid's central attackers.
- Isolating Ronaldo: Right-back Allan Nyom played a stellar defensive match, aggressively tracking Ronaldo and forcing the Portuguese forward into difficult shooting angles outside the box.
- Midfield Grift: Xabi Alonso was harried by Granada's central midfielders, preventing Madrid from establishing their usual metronomic tempo.
Mourinho reacted at halftime by introducing Karim Benzema, José Callejón, and later Marcelo, shifting toward a more desperate, direct approach. Despite dominating possession in the second half, Madrid's finishing lacked precision. Ronaldo registered multiple attempts, but Toño in Granada's goal—along with desperate last-ditch clearances—kept the clean sheet intact.
Historic Context and Aftermath
The final whistle confirmed a historic 1-0 scoreline. For Granada, the victory served as a massive psychological boost in their successful quest to avoid relegation that season, finishing 15th.
For Real Madrid, the defeat symbolized the end of any realistic hope of retaining their La Liga crown, which Barcelona ultimately secured with 100 points. While Mourinho's men found solace in deep runs in Europe and the domestic cup, the February night in Granada remains a rare instance of a lower-tier side completely nullifying one of the most lethal counter-attacking units in football history.
To explore more about historical club statistics and records from this era, you can visit La Liga Official Website or read archival reports on BBC Sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Granada beat Real Madrid often around this period?
No, this victory was historic because it marked Granada's first win against Real Madrid in La Liga since 1974, ending a nearly 40-year drought in the top flight.
Who scored the only goal of the match?
Oddly enough, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal of the match—unfortunately for Real Madrid, it was an own goal in the 22nd minute following a Granada corner.
Where was the match played?
The fixture took place at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes in Granada, Spain, in front of an electric crowd of 22,000 spectators.
How did this result affect Real Madrid's season?
While it didn't change their ultimate top-four finish, it cemented a sluggish domestic campaign where they finished runners-up behind Barcelona, well off the pace of their previous record-breaking title run.
