Real Madrid gave hope to their title rivals on Sunday with a 2-2 draw at home to Elche. It could have been worse for Madrid, who were two down with 11 minutes, yet managed to save a point thanks to a Luka Modric penalty and a 92nd-minute header from Eder Militao.
Lucas Boye and Pere Mila gave Elche the victory in one stroke.
But two dropped points against a team fighting for survival this season will come as a welcome bonus for Sevilla, who would have expected to be punished for their own draw at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Benzema’s injury is probably the biggest concern. The Frenchman was clutching his left hamstring as he walked down the tunnel in the second half. Madrid will hope it is nothing too serious, with their Champions League first leg against Paris Saint-Germain just three weeks away.
It completed a miserable afternoon for Benzema, who had missed his first penalty as a Real Madrid player after scoring all of his last 16.
Sevilla also came down two to claim a 2-2 draw on Saturday, before Atletico Madrid got the better, thrashing Valencia 3-2 on the return weekend to recover from a two-goal deficit.
That means the difference between Sevilla in second and Real Madrid is four points and both sides probably end the weekend in the spirit of an opportunity.
Eden Hazard was given his chance after Carlo Ancelotti gave him a rare start and while the Belgian was certainly one of Madrid’s more creative players, he departed in the 79th minute just before his team’s revival began .
Before kick-off, all Madrid players came out wearing number 11 shirts to pay tribute to Paco Gento, who died at the age of 88 on Tuesday. On display were Gento’s 12 league trophies and six European Cups.
Real Madrid did enough to create a few chances in the first half, but overall they were sluggish, with sloppy passing and a lack of quickness in recent performances.
Still, it looked like Vinicius Jr. was hacked by Halibelton Palacios in the 33rd minute and the referee pointed to the spot. The usually trusting Benzema, however, got ignited.
Miss Galvanized Elche, who had defended tenaciously and then gave herself something to defend.
Johann Mojica sent a ball to the left for Fidel to run, and he crossed the area where Boye was free to nod.
Madrid had a full half to make amends but it was difficult to click into gear and Benzema’s departure didn’t help. Hazard thought he had received a penalty after going down under challenge from Diego González, but replays showed the contact was light and the decision was reversed.
The prospects became more tense as the shots came faster or from afar.
Elche was unnecessarily upset and made it two in the 76th minute, excellent boy David turned away from Alaba and passed to Mila, who drove into the far corner.
Madrid looked to their feet but were handed a lifeline in the 82nd minute, as Alaba’s flick header caught Mila on the arm and in Benzema’s absence, Modric slipped on a penalty.
He had eight minutes to find the equalizer. Vinicius ran clear but Rodrigo shot wide and then in the 92nd minute, it came as Vinicius received an overhit pass off the line and crossed for Militao, who went inside.
With two minutes left, Madrid wanted a winner. His desperation was evident as the last whistle blew.
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