Real Madrid 2 – 2 Elche CF
What a game we had at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon as Real Madrid, after being 2-0 down against Elche, with less than eight minutes to go, came back to level the match through a Modric penalty, and Eder Militao to level the scoreline and earn a point for Los Blancos.
And what a contest we had, so cruel on Elche who were agonizingly close to securing a famous win against la Liga leaders, but every credit to Madrid who never threw in the towel. A great game of football for the neutral!
In truth, it was also a great game of football for Elche’s travelling fans who, never in their wildest dreams could have imagined being two goals to the good against the former European Champions with only minutes left on the clock, but whether it was the nerves or simply a lack of fitness, Elche just couldn’t hang on as Madrid clawed their way back to a valuable last ditch point
Despite Milla complaining that he was fouled in the action leading up to the award, the referee had no hesitation in awarding a 30th minute penalty to the home side after Vini was upended by Palacios, but as Benzema drilled the ball over the bar, his first ever penalty miss for Madrid, it almost felt like a turning point in the game.
Goals from Lucas Boye (42’) and Pere Milla (76’) then gave Madrid a mountain to climb but with the visitors on the back foot for most of the second period another penalty award to Madrid, confirmed by VAR, saw Luka Modric (82’) make no mistake from the spot, and despite Elche’s galliant efforts, when an Eder Militao header levelled in the second minute of added time it was nothing more than the home side deserved.
The loss of two points does little damage to Madrid who still lead Betis at the top of la Liga by four clear points but it was significant for los Illicitanos who now take themselves five points clear of the bottom three.
The game was significant also Lucas Boyé who continued his great form as he was involved in both of Elche’s goals, scoring the first with a powerful header
He is now on seven goals and two assists in 17 matches in La Liga this season. For the second goal, Boyé received the ball and spun around two Real Madrid players before playing the pass in to Pere Mila who drove it into the back of the net.
Still only 25 years of age, he has yet to be called up to the Argentina national team, but with three goals and two assists in his last four matches it is surely only a matter of time.
Images: Elche & R Madrid Twitter
