Benzema scores in his specially-designed Ballon d'Or adidas boots against Elche

A half-time change of footwear for Karim Benzema proved to be the missing piece of the puzzle as the Frenchman got on the scoresheet for Real Madrid having had two strikes ruled out by VAR.

Benzema had started the game in his regular purple and turquoise adidas X Speedflow.1 boots, before using the interval to switch for a special edition pair gifted him in honour of his first Ballon d'Or win on Monday.

With his new pair of boots on the French striker managed to net his fifth LaLiga goal of the season, the second in Real's 3-0 win over Elche on Wednesday evening.

The 34-year-old became the oldest winner of the award since Stanley Matthews in 1956, and was commemorated with his own pair of boots, as well as a special edition real Madrid shirt and golden tape.

However only the boots were given time on the field in the 3-0 win over Elche, as Benzema marked his first game since being voted the world's best player with a goal.

Both Benzema and Austrian defender David Alaba had first half efforts chalked off in a 45 minutes punctuated by the intervention of VAR.

But the visitors went in at the break 1-0 up thanks to another fine finish from Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde, who has filled the void left behind by Casemiro in the middle of the park.

And it was at that point that the French No 9 decided that it was his footwear that had stopped him getting on the scoresheet, rather than Elche's Edgar Badia in goal.

For whatever reason, though, the change in equipment proved effective as the 34-year-old got his goal in the 75th minute - but only after having a second finish ruled out by VAR.

Benzema got himself on the scoresheet at last, after converting from the edge of the box low into the left corner after combining brilliantly with Rodrygo - who has had something of a breakout season himself this term.

The final goal was scored by Marco Asensio, who saw his cushioned volley loop over the onrushing Badia late in the game to seal all three points for the reigning champions.

Carlo Ancelotti's Real now sit six points clear of Barcelona at the top of the Spanish top flight, after their Clasico win last weekend put some daylight between the old rivals.