Karim Benzema scored a late winner as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Elche 2-1.
Match Report
Having drawn their last two league fixtures, Madrid had the chance to leapfrog Barcelona into second place and close the gap on Atletico Madrid, temporarily at least, to five points.
But a lacklustre display looked like it would result in a third straight league draw – Benzema having cancelled out Dani Calvo's header.
Madrid's slim chances of catching Atleti were handed a late boost, however, when Benzema thundered in a supreme finish in stoppage time to snatch the points.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
13' NO GOAL! Casemiro's shot ruled out for an earlier foul
19' CHANCE! Valverde's shot wide out
34' Unbelievable! What a miss from Benzema
39' What a save from Courtois
49' CHANCE! Benzema's shot hits the net
58' AGAIN! Courtois makes brilliant save
60' GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Elche (Dani Calvo)
72' GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Elche (Benzema)
78' CLOSE! Casemiro's long shot inches wide
83' CLOSE! Casemiro's header over the bar
91' GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Elche (Benzema)
Line-ups
Real Madrid XI: Ramos, Benzema, Courtois, Casemiro, Isco, Nacho, Varane, Vazquez, F Mendy, Valverde, Vinicius
Subs: Modric, Kroos, Hazard, Asensio, Militao, A. Lunin, Hugo Duro, Rodrygo, Altube
Elche XI: Barragan, I. Marcone, Edgar Badia, Fidel, Mojica, Gonzalo Verdú, Carrillo, Dani Calvo, L.Boyé, Raúl Guti, Tete Morente
Subs: Nino, Víctor Rodríguez, Cifuentes, H. Palacios, Gazzaniga, Pere Milla, O. Mfulu, Luismi Sánchez, D.González, Josan Ferrández, Josema Sánchez, Lluís Andreu