Superior in all sectors, Real Madrid did not force to dominate Elche and consolidate their position as leader of La Liga (3-0). In all good moves, Benzema initially believed in a cursed evening with two goals canceled by the VAR, before finding the opening. A perfectly successful evening for the new Ballon d’Or and his family.
10/19/22 – 11:49 p.m. – Thank you and good night
Thank you to all of you for having accompanied us to follow the victory without trembling real Madrid of a Karim Benzema goalscorer in Elche.
10/19/22 – 11:45 p.m. – Real remain undefeated
The undisputed leader of La Liga, Real Madrid is now 13 games unbeaten in the league (19 in all competitions, editor’s note). His last setback dates back to May 8 and a trip to neighboring Atletico de Madrid (0-1).
19/10/22 – 23:40 – Madrid assumes its status in Elche, the match summary
A long time Karim Benzema believed that this first outing since receiving the Ballon d’Or on Monday was going to be cursed. An evening which refuses to him in a strange parallel with the jersey of world champion in cycling which carries its share of galleys and bad luck. In the good shots from the start, the French striker scored a first goal after a good combination between Rodrygo and Modric in the middle but saw it canceled for an offside by Vinicius author of the last pass. A few seconds later, it was Verdu who prevented him from scoring by throwing himself on his line. Certainly in the continuity of the action, Valverde signed the opener with a very nice shot from outside the left at the entrance to the area but nothing was going in the direction of the French. In the second half, rebelotte. From 6 yards, Benzema controlled where many would have struck, staring at the keeper before adjusting him but the flag was raised once again for Carvajal offside on Kroos’ bright crossbar. Benzema could have given up. Nay. It was only a matter of time, as if it needed the right deed to greet his new status. His sky cleared fifteen minutes from the end of the match when after a rush from Valverde, he combined with Rodrygo. In the center, the Brazilian was on his heels for his captain who with a curling shot from the right finally deceived Badia. A release both for the new Ballon d’Or and for Real who were taking shelter.
Because the leader of La Liga without being really scared because too superior in all aspects of the game, both in the physical dimension with the countless races of Vinicius and Rodrygo, always more free on the ground and precious in his proposals, or the percussions de Valverde, only technical with a Modric-Kroos duo who did wonders to orient and pace. In sequence, Ancelotti’s team gave the impression of reciting their football as if in a game, doubling the passes in rhythm to create spaces between the lines and put themselves in situation. Without the VAR and its intransigent facetiousness, the gap could have been greater at the break but Benzema then then Alaba, on an offside of nothing of the French… were deprived of the break. This allowed the Elche players to believe in a very dynamic start to the second half where Lunin multiplied the parries to keep his side’s short advantage intact. Already decisive with the end of the gloves on a tense strike from the left of Nico, the Ukrainian goalkeeper released with his right hand a header from close range from Clerc, perfectly served by Palacios. Moments later, Benzema scored Madrid’s second goal and dashed hopes of a comeback for Elche, more red lantern than ever with a tenth game without a win this season.
While Asensio’s late goal, his first of the season, was anecdotal, it more aptly underlined the gap between Spain’s best team and the worst. Three days after their authoritative victory in the Clasico, two days after the emotions of the advent of Benzema as the best player in the world, Real Madrid have proven that they know how to chain perfectly without ever decompressing, with the seriousness and the application of ‘a champion. With this result, Carlo Ancelotti’s troops continue and gain even more confidence while putting pressure on their rivals, condemned to keep pace. A challenge before finding Sevilla FC at the Santiago-Bernabeu next Saturday. A match that promises to be rich in emotions, the Madrid public reserving a triumphant welcome to their captain Midas. In Elche, it was not a cursed evening, simply a new gala for Benzema and company.
10/19/22 – 11:35 p.m. – Ancelotti satisfied
“The team played well. Offensively, we were very good with a lot of mobility”rejoiced Carlo Ancelotti in a press conference, visibly very happy with the performance of his team which has developed in sequence a very pleasant football made of movements and doubling of passes at the right tempo.
10/19/22 – 11:12 p.m. – A first for 5 years
Real Madrid have won all of their six away matches in the league this season. The last time Los Blancos won six consecutive away games in La Liga was in October 2017 (13) under manager Zinedine Zidane.
10/19/22 – 23:09 – Four decades of scarcity
Losing once again to Real Madrid, Elche failed to end their terrible streak against the Madrid rivals. Indeed, you have to go back to March 5, 1978 to find traces of the club’s last success in the suburbs of Alicante, south of Valencia. Carried by Anton, Gomez Voglino and Felix, he managed to surprise the Madrid giant. Since then, he has lost 13 of 15 encounters with Los Blancos.
19/10/22 – 22:57 – Real Madrid win (3-0)
Without forcing his talent, Real Madrid has a weak team from Elche and consolidates its place as leader of La Liga (3-0). Frustrated after being denied two goals, Karim Benzema celebrated his Ballon d’Or with his team’s second goal. In the first half, Valverde had opened the scoring with a nice shot from outside the left, when Asensio was responsible for giving more scope to the score and better reflecting Madrid’s domination. More enterprising after returning from the locker room, Jorge Almiron’s players showed more desire but came up against an inspired Lunin.
10/19/22 – 10:53 p.m. – Additional time: 4 minutes
There will be four minutes of additional time in this meeting between Elche and Real Madrid.
10/19/22 – 10:52 p.m. – Asensio adds to the score (0-3)
In midfield, Tchouaméni slips into the back of deep defense for Rodrygo. The Brazilian wraps a cross from the left into the area where Asensio takes the right and signs Real Madrid’s third goal (0-3).
10/19/22 – 10:51 p.m. – Ponce does not fit
Left side, Quina stings a ball in the surface and finds Ponce who at close range connects with a volley from the left which flies above.
10/19/22 – 10:50 p.m. – Camavinga jostled behind his back
Camavinga strikes in the middle and arrives at the surface, the Frenchman is pushed behind his back by Palacios but the referee does not flinch despite the clarity of the situation.
10/19/22 – 10:47 p.m. – Big chance for Valverde
Asensio controls the ball near the right corner of the box. The Spaniard sees Valverde tumble and gives him in his race. Entering the area, the Uruguayan strikes with the neck of his left foot but Badia makes the save.
10/19/22 – 10:44 p.m. – Ancelotti is coaching
Ten minutes from the end of regulation time, Carlo Ancelotti rotated his squad and recalled Vinicius and Kroos to the bench to give minutes to Asensio and Camavinga.
10/19/22 – 10:43 p.m. – Double change for Elche
Jorge Almiron makes two new changes with the exits of Mascarell and Boye to bring in Quina and Ponce. There are ten minutes left in regulation time.
10/19/22 – 10:41 p.m. – Benzema close to a double
Kroos sees the game as a whole and opens on the right of a perfect cross for Valverde. The Uruguayan crosses from 6 meters for Benzema who is overtaken by Verdu.
10/19/22 – 10:38 p.m. – Goal by Benzema!
After being frustrated twice by the VAR, this time, Benzema has his goal! In midfield, Valverde picks up the ball and tears the opposing defense on an acceleration. He forwards to his left to Benzema. The Frenchman advances, serves Rodrygo whose inner appeal is impeccable. The Brazilian is on the heels of his captain who finishes the job with a curl at the near post (0-2).
10/19/22 – 10:36 p.m. – Tchouaméni’s hard work
In the middle, Tchouaméni fights to resist Gumbau and succeed in projecting himself towards the surface. The French international shifts Carvajal to the right and but the side misses his center.
10/19/22 – 10:33 p.m. – Lunin saves Real!
Elche’s counter is fast and from 25 meters, Palacios wraps a wonderful cross from 6 meters for Clerc who places his head at close range and forces Lunin to a save on his line. Real Madrid were hot.
10/19/22 – 10:32 p.m. – Rodrygo places a header
On the left side, Benzema infiltrates the area and with an inside hook catches his vis-à-vis before hitting for Kroos. The German returns to him for a cross towards Rodrygo at 6 meters. The pricked head of the Brazilian does not deceive Badia.
10/19/22 – 22:29 – Gumbau’s poor control
On a perfectly distilled cross, Gumbau lacks control when trying to overtake Carvajal. The side raises with Kroos who with a subtle deviation gives air to his people.
10/19/22 – 10:26 p.m. – Tchouaméni enters the game
Established, Luka Modric seemed to stick his tongue out for a few minutes and logically gives way to the benefit of the former Monegasque Tchouéméni who will bring his power to the middle.
10/19/22 – 10:25 p.m. – Double change for Elche
Following this new goal canceled for offside, the first changes intervene with for Elche the exits of Nico and Milla for Josan and Gumbau.
10/19/22 – 10:24 p.m. – Another goal denied to Benzema
It looks like a curse for Karim Benzema. The Ballon d’Or is denied another goal for offside, the second of the evening for him. On an opening by Kroos from the central circle, Carvajal leaves too early. In the continuity of the action, the side had served the Frenchman in the area where he had control before finishing from the right.
10/19/22 – 10:22 p.m. – Benzema strength
After a percussion on the left from Vinicius, Benzema forces the shot from the right and falls on a defensive wall in front of him.
10/19/22 – 10:20 p.m. – Nico not rewarded
Pere Milla inherits the ball on the left and finds a relay in front of the area with Boyé. The latter pretends to come back inside to go the other way and puts in the back of Valverde. Nico gives everything he can to avoid a goal kick. He succeeds but his center at ground level is too close to Lunin who lies down on it.