Last updated on 23 January 202223 January 2022.From the section European Football
La Liga leaders Real Madrid scored two goals in the final eight minutes to fight back from 2-0 down and snatch a draw at home to Elche.
Lucas Boye and Pere Milla put the strugglers on course for a shock win.
But Luka Modric’s penalty brought Real back into the game and then Eder Militao levelled in added time.
Real’s top scorer Karim Benzema, who missed a first-half penalty when the game was goalless, was forced off with a hamstring strain.
The France striker has scored 27 goals in 33 appearances this season for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Real will face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League last 16 in just over three weeks’ time.
They needed extra time to overcome Elche in the Copa del Rey in midweek and once again found them obdurate opponents in the league, despite enjoying 65% possession and having 23 shots on goal.
The draw restores their four-point lead at the top of La Liga ahead of Sevilla, who also came from 2-0 down to draw against Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Before kick-off, all of Madrid’s players came out wearing number 11 shirts in tribute to Real and Spain legend Paco Gento, who died aged 88 on Tuesday.
Line-upsReal MadridFormation 4-3-3
1Courtois
17Vázquez3Militão4Alaba23Mendy
10Modric14Casemiro8Kroos
7E Hazard9Benzema20Vinícius Júnior
1Courtois17VázquezSubstituted forValverdeat 79’minutes3MilitãoBooked at 54mins4AlabaBooked at 90mins23Mendy10Modric14Casemiro8KroosSubstituted forRodrygoat 63’minutes7E HazardSubstituted forIscoat 79’minutes9BenzemaSubstituted forJovicat 58’minutes20Vinícius JúniorBooked at 72minsSubstitutes6Nacho12Marcelo13Lunin15Valverde16Jovic18Bale19Ceballos21Rodrygo22Isco25Camavinga40FuidiasElcheFormation 4-4-2
13Badia
14Palacios Zapata5Verdú4González22Mojica
11Morente Oliva8Gutiérrez Parejo2Gumbau10Milla
9Boyé12Pérez
13Badia14Palacios Zapata5Verdú4González22Mojica11Morente OlivaSubstituted forChaves de la Torreat 24’minutesBooked at 55mins8Gutiérrez Parejo2Gumbau10Milla9Boyé12PérezSubstituted forFerrández Pomaresat 88’minutesSubstitutes1Casilla16Chaves de la Torre17Ferrández Pomares20Piatti25Werner26Donald27Marco29Bri30Bono34FriazaReferee:Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea
Attendance:39,796
Live TextMatch ends, Real Madrid 2, Elche 2.
Second Half ends, Real Madrid 2, Elche 2.
David Alaba (Real Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by David Alaba (Real Madrid).
Pere Milla (Elche) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Luka Modric (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Helibelton Palacios (Elche).
Goal! Real Madrid 2, Elche 2. Eder Militão (Real Madrid) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Vinícius Júnior with a cross.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Gonzalo Verdú.
Attempt blocked. Luka Modric (Real Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Vinícius Júnior.
Foul by Casemiro (Real Madrid).
Raúl Guti (Elche) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Johan Mojica.
Substitution, Elche. Josan replaces Lucas Pérez.
Attempt blocked. Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Luka Modric.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Gonzalo Verdú.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Gonzalo Verdú.
Attempt blocked. Rodrygo (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Vinícius Júnior.
Goal! Real Madrid 1, Elche 2. Luka Modric (Real Madrid) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
VAR Decision: Penalty Real Madrid.