Real Madrid consolidate their lead in the Martínez Valero

Real Madrid beat Elche CF 0-2 on matchday 24 of the Liga BBVA. It was an important win for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who extend their lead over second-placed FC Barcelona to four points. Meanwhile, Fran Escribá’s charges saw their good run of two back-to-back victories come grinding to a halt.

The Alicante side were able to withstand the wave after wave of attacks from a very fired-up Real Madrid in the first half. Cristiano Ronaldo tried to put his team ahead on numerous occasions, the clearest chance of which came in the 4th minute when his right-footed strike crashed off Tytoń’s crossbar. The Portuguese forward kept looking for a way of breaking the deadlock but Madrid were unable to find the back of the net before the half-time break.

Elche had a great opportunity to go ahead in the second half but Iker Casillas denied Aarón’s effort with an assured save. That scare woke Real Madrid up and they got into their stride once again and made it 0-1 thanks to Karim Benzema. The Frenchman finished off his chance with ease after a Cristiano cross was parried away by the keeper to his feet. Following that, a great pass from Isco found Ronaldo who headed the ball home to grab the Madrid team’s second of the night. From that point on, it was one-way traffic in the visitors’ favour, although the result remained 0-2 until the final whistle.