Cristiano Ronaldo’s first own goal sends Real Madrid to loss against Granada

Denis Doyle/Getty ImagesCristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid reacts during the La Liga match between Granada CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes on February 2, 2013 in Granada, Spain.

BARCELONA, Spain — Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first own goal of his otherwise stellar career to condemn Real Madrid to a 1-0 defeat at Granada on Saturday, as Jose Mourinho’s side fell into the same funk that has dogged it all season against lesser-name opponents.
Ronaldo’s career is packed with goals of all sorts and from all angles, but he had never in 10 and a half seasons found the back of his team’s net until he headed a corner over goalkeeper Diego Lopez in a flubbed attempt to clear 22 minutes in.
Madrid’s latest slip, however, rested on the entire team as the defending champions failed to get a shot on target until Ronaldo finally found the mark after 58 minutes.
Madrid’s fifth loss in 12 away games this season left it 15 points behind Barcelona before the Spanish league leader visits Valencia on Sunday. Atletico Madrid is four points ahead of Madrid heading into Sunday’s game against Real Betis.
Mourinho, who hadn’t appeared before the press for weeks, took the blame.