Real Madrid progressed to the quarterfinals of the Copa Del Rey after surviving a scare against Elche at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on Thursday. Fans and pundits alike expected Real Madrid to win the game with a considerable margin after winning their first silverware of the season this past weekend. But to everyone’s surprise, it was a game that Los Blancos found difficult to control and make any spaces for an attack behind the Elche low block.
The chances fell for Elche during the first phases of the game as they nearly took the lead in the 12th minute after Carrillo wastefully crashed the ball off the top post and missed the open goal from only 3 yards. Much of the move was due to Marcelo’s mistake after he awkwardly tried to clear a diagonal ball that released Perez to make a run behind him.
Lunin was forced to make a great save to keep the score level in the 26th minute after Mojica laid down a precise cross for Carrillo who accumulated power and headed the ball but the Real Madrid goalkeeper kept everything level.
Real Madrid came forward and created chances to take the lead but was unable to as Elche defenders were successful in marking both Vinicius and Luka Jovic. It was a sparring match between the two teams till the 90th minute with Real Madrid having several chances and Elche relying on last gasp defending to keep out the Madrid side.
Elche became successful in breaking the deadlock with a goal from Gonzalo Verdu. Marcelo’s controversial red card resulted in a free kick on the edge of the box. Verdu’s initial shot was blocked by the wall but he scored from the rebound which deflected off Ceballos and found itself an open goal.
Madrid, down to 10 men found it hard to keep up with Elche who parked the bus during the last minutes of the first half of extra-time.
The comeback for Los Blancos started after Dani Ceballos drives a ground shot towards goal and it gets flicked by Isco and rolls past the Elche goalkeeper.
Minutes after the first goal, Alaba released Hazard with an incredible through ball leading to Werner coming out of his goal. Hazard swiftly rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball home helping Madrid to reach the Quarterfinals of the Copa Del Rey.
