League leaders win in Elche

Real Madrid picked up another three points at the Martínez Valero to cement their place at the top of LaLiga. Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who remain unbeaten in official games, defeated Elche to secure their ninth victory in the competition in a game they dominated from start to finish and in which they had three goals ruled out by the VAR for offside. A left-footed strike from Valverde put the Whites on course, with Ballon d’Or winner Benzema sealing the points in the second half after a delightful backheel from Rodrygo, who also set up Asensio for a third. The league leaders keep marching on.
 
The madridistas took control of the clash early on and found the net after only six minutes, but the fine team move that led to Benzema slotting home was ruled out by the VAR for an offside against Vini Jr. in the build-up. The visitors were not to be deterred and took the lead five minutes later. A dazzling piece of skill by Vini Jr. saw him get away from two defenders and play the ball back for Benzema, but the Frenchman was denied by Clerc on the goal line. However, the striker kept the move going and the ball eventually fell to Valverde who brought it down with his right foot and fired in a sweet half-volley with his left into the top corner.

Our second goal disallowed by VAR came midway through the first half. Alaba, Modrić, Kroos and Benzema were all involved in a beautiful flowing move. The Austrian defender was on target in the 26th minute, but the Ballon d'Or winner was judged to have been millimetres offside. After the break, Benzema could have extended the lead with a long-range effort, but Edgar Badia kept it out with 50 minutes on the clock.
 
The third goal disallowed by VAR came on 61 minutes, the second ruled out for Benzema. Kroos spread the ball out to the right to Carvajal, who was in an offside position when he delivered a perfect cross for the Ballon d'Or man. With the match still in the balance, Lunin demonstrated his reflexes in the 70th minute to tip Clerc's header from inside the six-yard box behind for a corner. Benzema found the back of the net again six minutes later, and this time he it stood. Good combination play between the Frenchman and Rodrygo who provided the assist with a beautiful back-heel pass for the Ballon d'Or winner to fire past Edgar Badia. There was still time for one more, which arrive in the 90^th minute as Asensio got his name on the scoresheet after another assist from Rodrygo. Three more points for the LaLiga leaders, who kept another clean sheet.