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.
Chances
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 responce. 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.
The goals arrive
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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