Real Madrid moved four points clear at the top of La Liga with a 2-0 win over Elche on Sunday evening.
Both goals came in the second period, with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo on the scoresheet for the visitors.
Elche, meanwhile, remain just outside the relegation zone following their first league defeat in three games.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two Spanish rivals.
Match statistics
ELCHE
Shots: 3
On target: 1
Possession: 39%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 17
REAL MADRID
Shots: 17
On target: 5
Possession: 61%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 6
Was the result fair?
To be honest, this was a very, very comfortable win for Real Madrid. One look at the scoreline will suggest that Elche ran the league leaders close, but that was not really the case. The statistics demonstrate that Real Madrid had 17 shots to Elche's four, while the home side managed just one attempt on target throughout the 90 minutes. It was a frustrating first period for the visitors, who hit the post in addition to having two goals disallowed, but they remained dangerous in the second 45 minutes.
The first goal came in scrappy circumstances, but it allowed Carlo Ancelotti's side to settle and from that moment, there was little doubt that they would go on to claim all the points. Ronaldo had a frustrating first period after an ongoing battle with the referee, but the Portuguese ended his scoring drought in the league with an excellent header 20 minutes from time. But for some poor finishing and poor officiating, the score could have been four or five, but it was the points and not the performance that Ancelotti would have most wanted in this one. Elche, unfortunately, just could not deal with the impressive visitors.
Elche's performance
Elche would have entered this match full of confidence having won their last two in the league, but whether they remain in La Liga this season is not going to be determined by their results against teams such as Real Madrid. The home side did not do a lot wrong in terms of individual errors and they can indeed be credited for their defensive work, especially in the first period. However, they were up against a team that simply had too much quality. Even at 0-0, Elche never really offered the impression that they could go on and win the match and just one attempt on target is a clear demonstration of their struggles.
Brazilian forward Jonathas has been their standout player this season, but the powerful striker lacked service, which ultimately led to frustration. The likes of Aaron Niguez and Victor Rodriguez worked very hard in wide areas, but offered little in attack against a Real Madrid defence that was allowed to play without any real pressure. Garry Rodrigues brought a spark to Elche when he was introduced, but there was still no real end product, which has been the team's problem this term. That said, they were not humiliated by the league leaders and their strong shape for long spells can be taken as one of the major positives.
Real Madrid's performance
Head coach Ancelotti surprisingly named exactly the same XI that faced Schalke 04 in the Champions League last week, but that said, the Italian does not have too many options due to a host of injuries. Los Blancos started the match like a house on fire, with Ronaldo rattling the post and Gareth Bale having a goal ruled offside. Benzema also netted in the first half, but the linesman raised his flag in a decision that might have gone against the visitors. As such, the score remained goalless at the interval, but there was no panic from Real Madrid, who always offered the impression that they would make the breakthrough.
As mentioned, Benzema's goal was scrappy, but Ronaldo's was a work of art as Isco clipped an excellent cross towards the Portuguese, who angled his header into the top corner. Once again, Isco was brilliant, but Lucas Silva must also be credited for a very strong display on what was his first league start for the Spanish club. At the back, Pepe and Raphael Varane worked well as a partnership, while Dani Carvajal and Marcelo were threatening in wide areas. It was vital that Los Blancos recorded all three points following Barcelona's slip against Malaga and the race for the title is now firmly in their hands at this stage.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Isco: Benzema and Ronaldo scored the goals for the visitors, but Isco was the best player on the park. The Spaniard was simply everywhere for Los Blancos - making challenges in defensive areas, before setting up chances down the other end of the field. It was the midfielder's cross that set up Ronaldo for goal number two and he just radiated class each time he had possession of the ball. Isco's performance was summed up when he left the field to a standing ovation from all sides of the stadium late on.
Biggest gaffe
There were a couple of misses from Ronaldo that the Portuguese will not be keen to remember, but the gaffe of the match has to go to Elche midfielder Aaron for a horror challenge on Bale in the second period. The Spaniard picked up a yellow card for the tackle, but it could have seriously injured the Welshman, had his foot been planted when the challenge was made. It was reckless and untidy from Aaron, who was extremely fortunate to escape a red card.
Referee performance
As touched upon above, referee Ignacio Iglesias should have sent Aaron from the field for a horror challenge on Bale, but that was not the only controversial moment. Real Madrid had two goals disallowed in the first half - Bale's was the correct decision, but Benzema appeared onside when he found the back of the net. Ronaldo was also unhappy with Iglesias in the first period following a number of challenges on the Portuguese, but there was not too much in any of them. The Spanish official issued five bookings in total, but that number perhaps should have been higher following a host of untidy challenges.
What next?
Elche: Elche will hope to return to winning ways then they travel to Celta Vigo on March 2.
Real Madrid: Next up for Los Blancos is a home match against Villarreal next Sunday evening.
Matt Law
