No recognised striker for Los Blancos tonight, either, so Cristiano Ronaldo will likely be tasked with playing up top, with Gareth Bale and James supporing from the flanks. Meanwhile, Asier Illarramendi and Isco are awarded starts.





Well folks, Carlo Ancelotti publicly came out this week in support of under-fire goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, but the Spaniard has been dropped from the starting XI tonight in favour of Keylor Navas. The Madrid club captain has been the target of abuse from some of his own fans in recent weeks, and he has been taken out of the firing line from his head coach tonight.





Real Madrid (4-3-3): Keylor Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Illarramendi, Kroos, Isco; James, Ronaldo, Bale.





TEAM NEWS...





Fran Escriba's men are not expected to take anything away from the match tonight. Elche have never recorded a win on their travels to Real Madrid and have lost 17 of the 20 league matches they have taken part in at Santiago Bernabeu. It has been nearly 39 years since they earned a point. Not promising statistics for the travelling fans!





Elche's form at the start of the campaign has been hot and cold. In the past couple of weeks they have gone from impressively winning 3-2 away to Rayo to being defeated 2-0 at home by La Liga new boys, Eibar. The visitors tonight currently sit 14th in the table.





That particular win at the weekend proved to be a record-breaker, as Madrid had never netted eight goals in a league away match before then.





Los Blancos have not made the best start to the season domestically and currently find themselves seventh in La Liga after winning and losing two of their opening four matches. However, the signs are that their form has returned as they have recorded 13 goals in their last two games. A 5-1 victory over Basel in the Champions League was followed by an 8-2 demolition of Deportivo in the league on Saturday.

Los blancos for life ee....make dis defense try do well oo...i can see a 25th Madrid hat trick for cr7

Real Madrid CF

5 - 1

Elche



90′ + 2
Assist
Gareth Bale

90′ + 2
Goal
Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 - 1
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID! THAT'S FOUR FOR RONALDO!! Bale slides a lovely pass into the box for the Portuguese who takes a touch past the defender before stabbing past Manu! Five-one! Another demolition!


90′


Three minutes of added time here at Santiago Bernabeu. Elche have ran themselves into the ground but they have been totally outclassed here tonight.


88′


Ronaldo pops up on the left wing and typically cuts inside before attempting a neat one-two with Isco on the edge of the box. The first pass comes off but the return ball from the Spaniard is well-intercepted by Lomban.


86′


Save again from Manu Herrera! Marcelo gallops down the left-hand side and whips a superb cross to the back post for Ronaldo who somehow manages to squeeze a header at goal, but the Elche keeper gets across to make the block!


84′


That's a horror finish from Chicharito! Kroos clips a lovely pass over the top of the Elche defence and Bale dashes forward before finding the Mexican, who's shot at goal goes high and wide over the bar!


82′
Substitution
Nacho Fernández
Sergio Ramos

82′


KROOS!! It should be 5-1! The ball comes to the German in a great position 12 yards out but he can only manage an awkward, bouncing strike off the ground which loops up and clips the top of the crossbar! He's still waiting for his first Madrid goal!


80′
Penalty Goal
Cristiano Ronaldo: 4 - 1
GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID! RONALDO COMPLETES HIS HAT-TRICK! The former Manchester United man takes a few strides forward before lashing the spotkick into the left corner with a right-footed strike! Four-one! GAME OVER!


79′


Penalty to Madrid!!! Bale stabs a pass into the feet of Ronaldo inside the box but the Portuguese is unceremoniously bundled over by the substitute, Pasalic!


78′
Substitution
Javier Hernández
James Rodríguez

78′
Substitution
Cristian Herrera
Garry Rodrigues

78′


Both managers make another respective change. Rodrigues comes off for Cristian Herrerra for Elche and James Rodriguez is replaced by Javier Hernandez for Real Madrid. The Mexican scored two after coming off the bench on Saturday for Los Blancos, so will be hoping for more of the same!


76′


Illarramendi, Isco, and Kroos all provide a slow tempo to the game in midfield as they pop the ball around with ease in and around the centre circle. Los Blancos certainly don't seem to be in any rush, and why would they be?


74′


Cisma collects a pass from Lomban down the right-hand side and exchanges a one-two with Pasalic before being forced back due to the intense pressing of Kroos and Isco. Madrid also proving to be hard to break down. Who would have thought it?!


73′


However, with Bale, Ronaldo, and James all still on the pitch, they are always more than capable of grabbing another goal or two.


72′


Strangely it feels that Madrid may be settling for their 3-1 lead at the moment. They have been conceding so many goals lately that Ancelotti may be happy just to keep it tighter than usual so they don't provide Elche a path back into contention.


70′


Fajr gets involved in the action for the first time since coming on. The substitute initially does well to take an assured touch into feet in the middle of the park, but then looks for the phantom run of a team-mate down the left. Albacar was absolutely nowhere near it.


68′


Well, the way the first half ended up going the opening 20 minutes of the second period have been rather surprising. Elche have been much more organised since the break and it's a bit of a chore for Madrid to find space in the final third at the moment.


67′
Substitution
Mario Pasalic
Adrián González

67′


Second substitution from Elche as Adrian is replaced in the middle of the park by on-loan Chelsea man, Mario Pasalic.


66′


Saaaaaaaaave by Manu Herrera! Kroos is over a free kick just a yard or two in from the byline and takes it short to Ronaldo who smashes a strike towards the near post, but the Elche keeper is alert enough to make the stop with his legs!


65′
Substitution
Arbeloa
Daniel Carvajal

64′


Carlo Ancelotti makes his first alteration of the night as Dani Carvajal comes off to be replaced at right-back by Alvaro Arbeloa. The former has picked up a couple of knocks tonight so looks like a precautionary measure from the hosts.


62′


Albacar looks to effect the play from a set-piece once again. He puts the hearts of the Madrid fans in their mouths as he whips a free kick at goal which takes a wicked deflection and almost nestles in the top corner by Navas. It ends up looping over the bar though, to the home side's relief.


61′
Substitution
Fayçal Fajr
Coro

61′


First change of the match comes from Elche. Coro, who has got into some decent positions tonight only to not create much, is to be replaced by Faycal Fajr. Some fresh legs needed for the visitors.


59′


Ronaldo receives possession out wide on the right-hand side and looks to take on Albacar with a few nifty stepovers. The Elche left-back isn't having any of it though and brings down the Portuguese with a clumsy hack of a challenge. That's one way to stop him I suppose.


58′
Yellow Card
Albácar

57′


What a terrible miss-hit from Coro! The ball falls brilliantly for the Elche attacking midfielder 18 yards out and he has a large portion of the goal at which to aim, but instead lets Madrid off the hook with a fresh-air shot!


55′


Mosquera bursts forward down the middle and looks for the run of Victor in behind Marcelo at the back post, but the pass is too heavy and all the pace is taken out of the Elche counterattack! Madrid were on the ropes for a sec there!


53′


Bit of a sitter for Ronaldo here! Marcelo does brilliantly to keep the ball in near the byline and reverses back inside for his team-mate who takes a touch inside the box before toe-poking a shot over from seven yards! Normally he would have gobbled up that chance! He's still hungry for his hat-trick though!


51′


Corooooooo!! Not too far away at all! Cisma collects the ball on the halfway line and moves up the park before sliding a precision pass into Elche's No.10, who shifts on to his right foot before fizzing a strike towards the top corner. Navas in the Madrid goal was worried, but the attempt ends up going a yard over. Unlucky!


49′


Isco slides the ball to the feet of Ronaldo who turns sharply 30 yards out before attempting a long range spectacular. He doesn't quite catch the strike but it fortuitously cannons off the foot of Lomban before going out for a corner kick.


47′


Some lovely interplay on the edge of the box sees Carvajal exchange a lovely one-two with Kroos before bursting to the byline. The former Leverkusen right-back looks to dink a cross into the box for Ronaldo, but Pelegrin makes the important interception.


46′


We are back under way in the Spanish capital!





Half time in Santiago Bernabeu. Elche made an excellent start to the match and silenced the home crowd as they went 1-0 up thanks to a penalty from Eduard Albacar. However, this angered Real Madrid who fought back with three goals over their own, with Ronaldo bagging two and Bale equalising. A very interesting second period in store, but Elche need to regroup or they will be on the end of a demolition!


44′


Only one minute of injury time to be added here. Elche are pretty desperate for the break at the moment as they have been made to run a lot as well as concede three goals.


42′


Sergio Ramooooooosss! So very close! James curls a teasing corner into the box and the Madrid captain rises above everyone to bullet a header at goal, but it's straight down the throat of Manu Herrera, who gathers gratefully!


40′


Elche are just enjoying a small period of possession at the moment as they look to earn a rest and curb the ascendancy of Madrid. They started the match well and even went a goal ahead, but they have been outclassed for the remainder of the half.


38′


Another great stop by Manu Herrera! Madrid retain possession after the free kick and pop the ball around the Elche box before it comes to Kroos, who opens up his left-foot to guide a strike towards the bottom corner! The goalkeeper beats the attempt away in an almost identical manner as before!


37′


Saaaaaaave by Manu Herrera! Ronaldo steps up and rifles the free kick towards the left corner but the Elche keeper gets across goal to commandingly punch the attempt away!


36′


Madrid get a set-piece opportunity in a really decent position outside the box now as Victor cynically brings down Isco. This one is definitely within Ronaldo range! Is a first-half hat-trick on the cards for the Portuguese?


34′


Elche have performed admirably so far but it almost seems as if them taking the lead has sparked Real Madrid into life. Los Blancos are looking hungry, ruthless, and clinical up front at the moment. Doesn't bode well for the visitors, but they need to keep their heads.


32′
Assist
Marcelo

32′
Goal
Cristiano Ronaldo: 3 - 1
GOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID!!! COMEBACK COMPLETE INDEED! Marcelo whips a fantastic cross into the box and who else but Ronaldo gets on the end of it to power a header into the bottom corner! Almost a carbon copy of his headed goal at the weekend against Deportivo! What a player! Three-one!


30′


Well, defenders take note here. Referee, Carlos Clos Gomez, seems all to eager to award penalty kicks this evening, so the challenges better be perfect. You wonder whether any player will dare leave their foot in now!


28′
Penalty Goal
Cristiano Ronaldo: 2 - 1
GOOOOOOAAALLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID!! Ronaldo gratefully accepts the gift from the referee and drills the penalty kick into the top right corner! The game has been turned on it's head within the past seven minutes!


26′


Penalty kick to Real Madrid! Marcelo looks to get on the end of the ball inside the area but is clipped every so slightly by Mosquera, who won the spotkick at the other end! Both poor decisions from the ref in my opinion! Lack of contact on both!


24′


There's some slightly worrying scenes for Elche at the moment as Manu Herrera is currently receiving treatment from the physios after picking up a shoulder knock in a collision with Ronaldo. The substitute keeper is warming up, but Manu is continuing for the moment.


22′


Rodrigues looks to take on the Real Madrid defence once again but this time he fails to get the better of Sergio Ramos, and ends up conceding a foul after tugging the shirt of the defender. Elche definitely displaying some quality on the flanks here!


20′
Assist
James Rodríguez

20′
Goal
Gareth Bale: 1 - 1
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLL FOR REAL MADRID!! A QUICKFIRE RESPONSE FROM THE HOSTS! James collects the ball on the right wing and clips a precision cross to the front post for Bale, who gets in front of his marker to squeeze a header past Manu Herrera, who can't keep the attempt out! One-one!


19′


Albacaaaaaaar! How close was that!? The opening goalscorer looks to grab his second of the match as he whips the free kick towards goal from 25 yards. It looked destined to find the far corner but ends up fizzing wide! Navas was certainly scrambling!


17′


Marcelo now goes into the book and comes extremely close to giving away a penalty himself! Rodrigues takes the game to Madrid and bursts down the right wing only to be taken out by a clumsy challenge by the left-back! Both full-backs in the book for Los Blancos now.


16′
Yellow Card
Marcelo

15′
Penalty Goal
Albácar: 0 - 1

14′


PENALTY TO ELCHE! The home crowd are stunned! Ronaldo looks to clear the ball out of his own box and innocuously clips the thigh of Mosquera, who goes down! The ref flags for a spotkick!


13′


Almost a calamity from Marcelo! Coro bursts forward through the middle and looks for the run into the box of Rodrigues. The Brazilian intercepts and his clearance ends up nearly nestling in his own net! The Santiago Bernabeu crowd took a huge breath there!


11′


KROOS! That wasn't too far away at all! The German latches on to a loose ball on the edge of the box and drills a right-footed strike towards goal. Certainly well-struck, but just lacks a little direction and eventually goes wide of the post.


9′


From looking at the line-ups here it appears that Bale and Ronaldo are both playing as centre-forwards, with James sitting just in behind in the No.10 role. Still plenty of width being provided by Carvajal and Marcelo, though.


7′


James collects possession in a central position up top once again and he fizzes a pass out wide to Marcelo, which forces the Brazilian back slightly. The following pass to Isco is slack which allows Cisma to intercept and eventually win the foul.


5′


Albacar steps up and looks to bend the free kick over the top of the wall but it is easy for Keylor Navas, who makes a comfortable save. That should give his confidence a boost as he looks to impress on his first team debut.


4′
Yellow Card
Daniel Carvajal

4′


First yellow card of the match goes to Carvajal as the Madrid right-back brings down Coro with a tug of the shirt as Elche counterattacked down the channel. Some visiting players are lobbying the referee for a red, but there was covering Madrid defenders in behind.


3′


James receives the ball to feet up top and takes possession in with an assured touch. He looks for the run of Bale in behind the Elche defence but the pass ends up being screwed out of play.


1′


We are under way in Madrid!

liveLongNprospa: Los blancos for life ee....make dis defense try do well oo...i can see a 25th Madrid hat trick for cr7

Hello Sir; can you rep Real Madrid on our football show on Radio next wednesday, Oct 1? pls its not a scam. Thanks