Real Madrid and Elche shared one point at Santiago Bernabeu as Madridistas did not make use of the false step Sevilla made just 1 day ago. The Whites dominated the game and had the better of the chances but found themselves 2-0 down with just fifteen minutes left to play before Modrić (82') and Militão (92') levelled the score. Sometimes bad luck and some other times the lack of precision condemned Ancelotti’s men and not only prevented them from obtaining three points but also sent them close to losing the match.
The Santiago Bernabéu paid a touching tribute to our beloved president of honour, Francisco Gento, who passed away on Tuesday at 88 years of age. Ahead of the LaLiga meeting with Elche, Real Madrid remembered the legend of world football, the only player ever to have won six European Cups. Gento played for our team for 18 years, winning 12 LaLiga titles, one Intercontinental Cup, two Latin Cups, two Spanish Cups and one Small Club World Cup.
The 24 trophies that Gento lifted and a massive number 11 shirt that was laid in the centre circle took centre stage in the ceremony. The Real Madrid players posed with Gento shirts as they stood behind the Cantabrian's immense trophy haul.During the game Madridistas kept a black band in their arm.
It was clear how the two teams were set up from the off. Real Madrid dominated possession as Elche pressed high up the pitch looking to take their chances. The first opportunity came in the 11th minute from Benzema and Vini Jr. The Frenchman provided the assist and the Brazilian tried his luck but Edgar Badía kept him out.
Kroos struck a well-hit shot from the edge of the area minutes later that went wide. The visitors were forced to defended deeper and deeper as Benzema continued to show his class. The league’s top scorer controlled a long pass from Alaba with superb skill, only to see his shot cleared off the line by Edgar Badía.
Many chances for Madridistas: Casemiro's shot from outside the area came even closer but the keeper was again on hand to save. With 32 minutes gone, Vini Jr. was brought down inside the area by Palacios. Benzema stepped up to take the penalty but fired wide. Luck was not smiling on Ancelotti's side, who went 1-0 down in the 42nd minute, Lucas Boyé heading in after the visitors quickly transitioned.
Real Madrid looked for a speedy response and Benzema almost levelled the score in quick succession and Kroos almMendy ost found the equaliser in stoppage time with a free-kick. Casemiro was also denied by Badía from a header.
Madrid were dominant on the ball and had the lion’s share of the chances but Elche were showing remarkable efficiency, meaning our team would have to put the situation right in the second half. With 51 minutes on the clock, the referee pointed to the spot when Diego González brought Hazard down in the box but overturned his decision after a VAR consultation. The minutes ticked by and Ancelotti’s boys were unable to break down the visitors’ resilient back line. Benzema was then forced off with a muscle complaint and Jović came on in his place.
The goals arrive but there wasn’t much time left: With 62 minutes gone, Kroos again tried his luck from range, one of his final contributions before being replaced by Rodrygo. Ten minutes later, Vinicius failed to find the target from inside the box, before Elche made the most of an isolated opportunity once again. Pere Milla raced through against Courtois and shot across goal into the corner of the net. It just wasn’t Madrid’s day and in the very next move, Casemiro saw his header come back off the crossbar.
On 81’, the referee again went to VAR and signalled a penalty for a Pere Milla handball, which Modrić duly stepped up to convert. There was still time on the clock and Rodrygo could have levelled on 86’. Madrid continued to push on, doing all they could to find a goal, which did arrive in the 92nd minute when Militão rose to head home a gorgeous Vini Jr. cross. The league leaders take another point ahead of next week’s international break.
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