'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid staged a late comeback yet again to keep their 2020-21 La Liga title hopes alive, defeating Elche 2-1 at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano.
The win takes Los Blancos ahead of Barcelona, who face Huesca on Monday night, in the points table. Meanwhile, Elche remain in 17th place, a point above the relegation zone.
The first half was a fairly drab affair, with Elche containing Real Madrid quite well, and neither goalkeeper working too much. However, Dani Calvo brought the game to life on the hour mark as his bullet header from a corner bulged the Real Madrid net.
Trending
With Zinedine Zidane throwing on his midfield stars, substitute Luka Modric sent in a peach of a cross for Karim Benzema to head home in the 73rd minute. The Frenchman repeated his heroics in injury time, volleying a left-footed shot into the bottom corner to break Elche's hearts and keep Real Madrid's title hopes alive.
On that note, here are five major talking points from the game:
#1 Karim Benzema steps up for Real Madrid once again
It's almost comical how often Karim Benzema has managed to single-handedly keep Real Madrid's title hopes alive this season. The Frenchman did so against Atletico Madrid last week and repeated his trick against Elche as well, just when all looked lost for Zinedine Zidane's side.
It's a testament to how vital Benzema has become for Los Blancos; no player in the La Liga this season has scored more goals than the Frenchman (6) after the 88th minute.
There has been a clamour for the return of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent weeks. But Benzema is providing a quiet reminder of his abilities. He struggled for much of the first half, unable to profit as Isco and co. attempted to provide him service.
However, once Real Madrid's first-choice midfield came onto the pitch, it was inevitable that the Frenchman would make the telling contribution.
#2 Elche deserved more from the game
With 72 minutes gone, Elche were staring at the incredible feat of defeating Sevilla and Real Madrid in consecutive games. Indeed, Fran Escriba's men did little wrong for much of the game, with only Karim Benzema's brilliance denying them some crucial points.
Dani Calvo's opening goal came in a spell when Elche ought to have scored another goal. They forced Thibaut Courtois into making a couple of excellent saves, while also having a penalty shout turned down.
Even after Benzema equalised for Real Madrid, Elche heads didn't drop, and they kept closing down gaps and stayed organised. Fran Escriba has surely turned things around for Elche, and they can take real hope from this performance if not the points. Safety possibly beckons for them.
#3 Zinedine Zidane's new formation falters again
Eyebrows were raised when Real Madrid took to the pitch with a 3-1-4-2 formation, as Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Nacho formed a three-man defence. Vinicius Jr. and Lucas Vasquez operated as wingbacks, but they were thwarted by Jorge Molina and Antonio Barragan on the wings by Elche.
Real Madrid had briefly tried a similar formation against Real Sociedad, and it failed then as well, with Zidane reverting to type after conceding. The onus was on Isco and Fede Valverde to create, but it was all a bit disjointed until Zidane switched to his tried-and-tested 4-3-3, and Luka Modric and Toni Kroos came on.
Perhaps it is with an eye on the UEFA Champions League game against Atalanta that Zidane is attempting to switch things around. However, based on the display against Elche, he'd do well to stick with what works.
#4 Sergio Ramos makes an unhappy return for Real Madrid
The contract stand-off between Real Madrid and Sergio Ramos may have tempted Zinedine Zidane into opting to rest his captain, and in hindsight, he probably may have been better off doing so.
The Spaniard looked quite rusty for the hour he was on the pitch, struggling in the odd moments when Elche made their forays forward. Ramos, as ever, was involved in a fair few penalty shouts, both for and against Real Madrid. He may have been lucky not to concede one as well.
Raphael Varane and Nacho have conceded two goals in their last six games playing together at the back - which came against Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid, respectively. It may sound like heresy, but perhaps Zidane ought to be thinking of them as a combination against Atalanta instead of adding Ramos into the mix.
#5 La Liga title still within Real Madrid's grasp
Real Madrid are a club that tends to focus on the UEFA Champions League anyway, but Zinedine Zidane will still have his eyes on defending their league title won last season.
Los Blancos are only five points behind Atletico Madrid, who still have to play the likes of Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Barcelona this season.
Madridistas may be getting put through the wringer, but they'd do well to keep faith in a manager and team that have repeatedly grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat.
Whatever the fate of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 knockout tie against Atalanta, Real Madrid have a real chance at the title this season, even with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid finding form.
Los Blancos keep picking up points without playing particularly well, and once they eventually do click into form come the business end of the season, a trophy or two may well be in store.
