Marco Asensio scored the opening goal of the game to put the hosts in control

Real Madrid 4-0 Elche: Carlo Ancelotti’s side keep faint title hopes alive as they cut gap to leaders Barcelona to eight points, with Karim Benzema netting brace

  • Marco Asensio broke the deadlock for Real Madrid after just eight minutes
  • Karim Benzema the slotted two penalties to give hosts a 3-0 lead at the break
  • After the break, Luka Modric added a fourth to put the gloss on the scoreline 

Real Madrid thrashed bottom club Elche 4-0 without breaking sweat on Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu to move within eight points of leaders Barcelona.

The stugglers have only won once all season and never picked up all three points at the Bernabeu. 

Madrid got themselves in front after just eight minutes and never looked back.

It was Marco Asensio who dribbled into the Elche penalty area before drilling a low shot past Edgar Badia. Elche’s keeper went on to be man of the match for his team – that summed up how poor they were.

Karim Benzema made it 2-0 on the half hour from the penalty spot after Enzo Roco handled in the area – Pablo Machin’s side were their own worst enemies and they gave away another spotkick on the stroke of half time this time when Diego Gonzalez fouled Rodrygo. Again Benzema took the kick and made no mistake.

Marco Asensio scored the opening goal of the game to put the hosts in control

Marco Asensio scored the opening goal of the game to put the hosts in control 

Asensio rolled home to break the deadlock just eight minutes into the game

Asensio rolled home to break the deadlock just eight minutes into the game 

Real celebrated having taken the lead against Elche in the LaLiga clash on Wednesday

Real celebrated having taken the lead against Elche in the LaLiga clash on Wednesday

The French striker moved to 11 goals for the season with the brace and is now just three behind Robert Lewandowsky. If he can catch the Pole then Madrid will have a better chance of catching Barcelona.

Carlo Ancelotti rang the changes in the second half and when Luka Modric came on he was able to get the fourth goal postage stamping an effort from distance with 10 minutes left.

Madrid’s fixture calendar is daunting for the next month or so. At the weekend they visit Pamplona to face Osasuna. They then play at Anfield before a Madrid derby in La Liga and a Kings Cup double header against Barcelona. They made the most of this being a gentle victory by strolling through the last 20 minutes and giving run-outs to players who barely play – Mariano Diaz came on late-on in search of what would have been his first goal for over a year.

Ancelotti will be pleased his stand-in keeper Andriy Lunin kept a clean sheet – it could be the Ukraine stopper’s last game for a while with Thibaut Courtois ready to return.

Toni Kroos could also be back at the weekend and Vinicius who missed this one through suspension will also return. Had the 16-goal Brazilian been on the pitch it could have been an even bigger margin. As it was Benzema linked well with Rodrygo and got his goals.

‘Karim gives us everything; he is a complete player and he was great with Rodrygo tonight,’ said Ancelotti post game.

Karim Benzema slotted two penalties for Los Blancos to put his side in total control

Karim Benzema slotted two penalties for Los Blancos to put his side in total control

The Frenchman stepped up decisively after Real Madrid were given spot kicks in the first half

The Frenchman stepped up decisively after Real Madrid were given spot kicks in the first half 

Real Madrid are trying to keeping in touch with Barcelona, who lead LaLiga this season

Real Madrid are trying to keeping in touch with Barcelona, who lead LaLiga this season 

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