Madrid, Jan. 23 (BNA): Real Madrid needed an injury-time goal from Eder Militao to salvage a 2-2 draw at home against Elche and maintain their advantage over Sevilla at the top of La Liga on Sunday.
Real Madrid struggled on a disappointing afternoon for their first player, Karim Benzema, who missed a penalty in the first half and had to be substituted in the second half due to injury.
The equalizer kept Madrid four points clear of second-placed Sevilla, who also had to recover from a two-goal deficit to avoid defeat at Celta Vigo and a 2-2 draw at home on Saturday.
Real Madrid have won once in their last three league matches, while Sevilla have drawn two in a row.
Third-placed Real Betis came close to beating Espanyol on Saturday. Manuel Pellegrini’s team is 10 points off the lead after 22 games.
Benzema’s struggle began when he missed an opportunity from close range with only the goalkeeper to win inside the area in the first half. Moments later, Benzema, Real Madrid’s top scorer this season, had the opportunity to give his side the lead with a penalty, but the French striker sent his shot over the bar.
To crown an extraordinarily frustrating day, Benzema had to leave the match at 58 due to an apparent muscle injury. He grabbed the back of his left leg as he headed to the locker room.
Lucas Pouille and Per Milla scored in each half to give Elche a 2-0 lead, but Madrid came close to Luka Modric’s penalty in the 82nd minute and equalized the match with Militao’s powerful header from Vinicius Junior’s cross.
Vinicius, who also missed some good chances, was given a yellow card that will ban him from the next match.
Real Madrid beat Elche 2-1 in extra time on Thursday to advance to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. Neither coach Carlo Ancelotti Benzema nor goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Militao were used in that match.
Eden Hazard, who scored the winning goal in extra time Thursday, returned to the starting line-up on Sunday after not winning several minutes due to a string of injuries.
Elche moved to five points from the relegation zone with a draw at the Santiago Bernabéu. He has won two consecutive league matches.
Hazard thought he was awarded a penalty early in the second half but the call was called off after a video review.
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