Real Madrid travelled to Elche on Wednesday looking to record their fifth win of the La Liga season.
Both sides had opportunities in the first period, but neither could make the breakthrough with the score level at the interval.
Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the early stages of the second period, however, when his free kick squeezed into the bottom corner.
Elche found an equaliser in stoppage time when Richmond Boakye headed home from close range, but a penalty from Ronaldo in the 96th minute secured all the points for the capital outfit.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga match of the evening comes from the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero as newly-promoted Elche welcome Real Madrid. It has not quite been the start that the home side would have wanted with just three points from their first five matches leaving them in 16th position in the table, without a win this season.
Madrid, meanwhile, have won four of their first five games of the season, with their only dropped points coming in a 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Gareth Bale’s debut. The capital outfit have also scored 10 times in their last two matches and boasted the second-best away record in the division last season. That said, all five of their league defeats in the 2012-13 season came on the road.
As mentioned, the two sides have not met since the 1988-89 campaign, when Madrid did the double over Elche with 3-1 and 4-2 victories. Meanwhile, Madrid have lost just one of their last 10 meetings against the newly-promoted side. Fran Escriba’s side are unbeaten on their own patch this season, however, and will therefore be confident of securing a result against the capital outfit.
TEAMS:
ELCHE: Herrera; Lomban, Suarez, Albacar, Botia; Sanchez, Marquez, Perez; Manu, Coro, Gil
REAL MADRID: Lopez; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Khedira, Modric; Di Maria, Isco Ronaldo; Benzema
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Elche XI this evening, although Manu del Moral comes into the attack. There are also places for on-loan Atletico Madrid midfielder Ruben Perez and Javi Marquez. Madrid, meanwhile, recall Fabio Coentrao at left-back, but Gareth Bale is not in the squad. Right, the away side get the action underway on this warm evening in Spain.
Not the best start to the match from the home side as Lomban fells Isco outside the box, presenting an immediate opportunity for the capital outfit to put a decent delivery into the area. However, Botia is on hand to clear. Ronaldo has a low effort moments later, but it just deflects wide of the post. All-action start to proceedings.
Just a reminder that Elche are yet to win this season, but they are unbeaten in this stadium. Madrid have won four from five and they have the Madrid derby with Atletico Madrid to come this weekend. It has been one-way traffic thus far with the team in blue enjoying all of the possession. You just get the feeling that it could be a long night for the newly-promoted outfit.
Couple of frustrating moments for the away side in the last couple of moments with Isco and Ronaldo caught offside in quick succession. Elche are certainly going to need their supporters this evening and they have turned up in their numbers. Good work from Albacar presents a running chance to Manu moments later, but Pepe is across to quell the danger.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the opening eight minutes, but it has been a period that has been dominated by the away side with Isco, Modric and Di Maria all enjoying plenty of the ball. A risky backpass from Botia almost allows Di Maria a chance on goal, but Herrera is quick off his line to clear under pressure from the Argentine.
The first yellow card of the match is handed to Manu, with the Elche striker diving into the back of Di Maria. Elche enjoy a good spell of possession in the Madrid half moments later with Ruben Perez and Coro combining to good effect, but it breaks down when the latter is felled by Ramos, who picks up a card of his own.
CHANCE! The resulting set piece is taken by Coro and met by Lomban at the far post, but Lopez is across to make a fine save. The debate surrounding Iker Casillas continues to surround the club, but Lopez has been sensational ever since he stepped into the team last season. Bright five minutes or so for Elche against the former Spanish champions.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with both sides prepared to commit players to each attack. Gil has the effort for Elche, but it moves wide of the post, before Ronaldo clips wide down the other end. Elche have shown enough in the opening 15 minutes to suggest that they can cause problems to the away side this evening. Still goalless, but it has been an entertaining fixture thus far.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Marquez finds himself unmarked inside the box, but his effort is straight at Lopez, who has been the busier of the two goalkeepers thus far. If Elche are to take something from this match, then you just get the feeling that they need to score during this positive spell.
Elche continue to force the issue with Gil and Coro seeing plenty of the ball in the final third, but Madrid have been nice and compact in defence with Coentrao and Arbeloa forced to tuck in thus far. Madrid are down the other end with Benzema moments later, but he decides to keep possession with Madrid attempting to get hold of this match.
Elche continue to force the issue as Marquez collects possession outside the box before thumping one towards the top corner, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Well, 22 minutes in and Elche have more than matched Real Madrid, who are yet to bring a save from Herrera. However, plenty of time for that to change this evening.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. The latest free kick presents Ronaldo with an opportunity to strike one from outside the box, but instead he chips it towards Ramos, who had moved into an offside position.
Madrid have just started to take control of the possession in the last few moments with the likes of Modric and Isco seeing the ball in the final third. However, it has been a frustrating opening 26 minutes for Ronaldo and Benzema, who have been well marshalled thus far. Elche's attack, however, has just dropped in the last five minutes or so.
It must be said that the surface is in wonderful condition this evening, while the home supporters are creating a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. Their side come close to taking the lead once more as Suarez dances into the box before finding Marquez, but his effort is straight into the arms of Lopez. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with Elche nice and compact in defence. Ronaldo's frustration continues to grow, meanwhile, with the referee letting the majority of challenges go. You just get the feeling that Elche need to score first if they are to take something from this contest.
Elche are looking for a flag as Coentrao advances into the box, but it does not come until the final moment, much to the frustration of the Portuguese defender. Coentrao is involved moments later as he delivers a dangerous cross towards Benzema, but the Frenchman is beaten in the air by Suarez, who has been impressive thus far.
Ramos is a very lucky man here as the Madrid defender fouls Sanchez outside the box, but the referee does not issue what would have been a second yellow card. The challenge was worse than what he was booked for there is no question about that. The resulting free kick is taken by Albacar, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as Elche continue to threaten with a host of crosses into the box, while Madrid remain a threat on the counter with Ronaldo and Di Maria always available. Little over five minutes remaining of what has been an even contest at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
It's really bright work from Madrid as Modric collects possession outside the box before combining with Ronaldo, but the move breaks down as the Croatian attempts to find the run of Benzema. The underlying ill-feeling shows signs of surfacing moments later as Arbeloa stands on the heel of Sanchez. Elche have more than matched Madrid here make no mistake about that.
More handbags between both sets of players as Coentrao clashes with Suarez inside the Elche box, but the referee is on hand to calm proceedings. You cannot help but think that a certain Gareth Bale would have provided Madrid with more of a threat this evening. The Welshman is expected to return for the Madrid derby with Atletico Madrid this weekend.
Di Maria takes matters into his own hands moments later with an effort from distance, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half, with Madrid starting to turn the screw.
HALF-TIME: Elche 0-0 Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the half to an end with Elche holding Madrid to a 0-0 draw. Both sides had opportunities to open the scoring, but neither has really done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of proceedings. Let's hope for more chances in the second period.
STATISTICS: Madrid had 69% of the possession in the first period, but Elche have had more of the chances with six efforts to Madrid's three - two of which were on target. It has been a feisty match in terms of challenges, with Ramos perhaps lucky to remain on the field for committing a couple of bookable offences having already had his name taken.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Boakye, Tono and Stevanovic. Meanwhile, Madrid have the likes of Jese Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata. There is no question that they are short of the strikers following Gonzalo Higuain's departure in the summer.
Here we go then. Both sides join us on the field for the second period. No changes for either at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. There has already been a couple of La Liga fixtures this evening in case you have just joined us, with Valencia beating Granada 1-0 and Sevilla recording a 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. Right, Elche get the second period underway.
You have to expect that Madrid will raise the tempo in the second period, which could prove problematic to the home side, who are not known as a team that score bundles of goals. Khedira has the first effort of the second half, but his 30-yard strike is high and wide of the crossbar. Elche will be happy with those type of attempts that is for certain.
Benzema attempts to make something happen for the away side as he bursts into the Elche box, but he loses control at the vital moment, allowing Botia across to make the challenge. Elche are down the other end with Coro moments later, but his low cross is collected by Lopez. Bright opening five minutes to the second 45 minutes.
GOAL! Elche 0-1 Madrid (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo opens the scoring after 51 minutes as the Portuguese's free kick squeezes past Herrera. It was a powerful strike, but Herrera simply had to save it. It is hard enough against Madrid, but they have been given a real helping hand this evening.
It is important that Elche remain in the game for the next five minutes or so with Madrid boosted by their opener. Coro attempts to continue that tempo as he combines with Perez before whipping a cross into the box, but Lopez is on hand to make the save, before Isco is felled by Botia on the break down the other end.
Elche continue to concede free kicks around their penalty area, which has already cost them. The latest is whipped towards Ronaldo by Di Maria, but the Portuguese cannot make proper contact. Benzema has an attempt from a header moments later, but it is straight into the arms of Herrera. Incredibly open match at the moment.
Elche continue to protest about every decision that the referee makes, which is making for a red-hot atmosphere with the home supporters following suit. It would not be a surprise to see a red card produced in the latter stages with the amount of players that are on yellow cards. Elche just need to settle at the moment and try and involve the likes of Carles Gil and Manu in forward positions.
Elche make their first change of the evening with Fidel entering the field for Manu del Moral, who has again struggled to influence proceedings. It has not quite happened for the on-loan Sevilla forward in the early part of the season. Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last few moments with the referee continually taking centre stage.
Better from the home side in the last couple of moments with Gil and Coro starting to influence proceedings in and around the Madrid box. Moments later, Elche make their second change with Boakye replacing Marquez. It is no good Elche losing this 1-0, they need to be more expansive in the latter stages and the changes will help there is no question about that.
Elche just cannot gain any sort of rhythm at the moment with Khedira and Modric doing a good job at closing the space in the middle of midfield. They have made two changes, but Madrid seem in control with little over 25 minutes of football to play. It hasn't been a classic, but the three points are all that is important this evening.
Wonderful chance for Elche to level the scores as Boakye meets a deep cross from Coro, but he can only turn wide from close range. However, it would not have counted with the offside flag raised. It would not be a surprise to see Carlo Ancelotti look to his bench in the next few moments in an attempt to freshen up his attack.
Madrid do indeed make their first change of the match with Illarramendi, who arrived from Real Sociedad in the summer, replacing Isco. Elche threaten moments later as Boakye's pace allows the striker to move beyond Ramos, but Pepe is on the cover. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga contest.
Not too much to report in the last few moments with Madrid comfortable in possession of the ball. However, you just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening. Modric has a half-chance moments later as he arrives inside the Elche box, but his cross is high and wide of the crossbar.
The home side want a penalty as Arbeloa appears to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Elche send all their big players into the area for the resulting corner, but it is played short before Albacar fires high and wide of the crossbar. That has been about as good as it has got for Elche in the second period.
Another opportunity for Ronaldo to threaten with a free kick, which he attempts to take quickly, picking up a yellow card for his troubles. Ronaldo does get the chance to fire one into the box moments later, but the offside flag is raised as Ramos attempts to divert home from close range. That would have been game over. Still time for Elche to force an equaliser with little under 15 minutes remaining.
Elche attempt to force the issue with a series of deep crosses into the box, but it is playing into the hands of Madrid with Ramos, Pepe and Lopez on hand to deal with the danger. In truth, the home side have struggled in the second period with Madrid controlling the entire tempo of the match.
Madrid make their second change of the evening as Dani Carvajal enters the field in place of Modric. That is an indication of Ancelotti's plans for the final eight minutes or so. The home side make a change of their own moments later as Aaron Niguez enters he field for Coro, who has faded badly since the interval.
In truth, not too much is happening at the moment with Madrid so comfortable it is almost untrue. Elche continue to launch it long at every opportunity, but it is a tactic that has simply not worked in the second period. Aaron strikes one from outside the box moments later, but it moves wide of Lopez's post. Time is running out for the newly-promoted outfit.
Elche think the world is against them as they continue to challenge every decision from the referee, who has had a very active evening there is no question about that. The home supporters are just starting to make their way towards the exits as we enter the final few minutes. Is there to be a late sting in the tail here?
Madrid are more than content to sit back and absorb the pressure with Ronaldo the only player past the half-way line. They make their third and final change moments later as Morata enters the field for Di Maria. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the end of normal time. Madrid are on course for their fifth win of the season.
GOAL! Elche 1-1 Madrid (Boakye)
Wow! Wow! Elche equalise in stoppage time as Boakye thumps a powerful header into the back of the net following good work from Fidel. What a moment for the home side. The crowd have gone absolutely potty inside the stadium.
PENALTY TO REAL MADRID!
Oh my word. Real Madrid have been handed a penalty in the fourth minute of additional time as Sanchez holds onto Pepe inside the box. It is a crazy decision from the referee. I have never seen anything like it.
GOAL! Elche 1-2 Madrid (Ronaldo)
Of course Ronaldo thumps his effort into the bottom corner to silence the stadium. What an ending to this match. You have to feel for Elche.
FULL-TIME: Elche 1-2 Madrid
Well, what an incredible match. Elche thought that they had taken a point, but a late penalty from Madrid secured all the points for the away side. Good grief. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
