Benzema bags two penalties as Madrid defeat Elche

Karim Benzema netted two penalties as Real Madrid breezed to a 4-0 win over rock-bottom Elche on Wednesday to cut the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona back to eight points.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team did not play at the weekend because of their involvement in the Club World Cup in Morocco, which they presented to supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It was Madrid’s second trophy of the season, after the European Super Cup, but if they are to add La Liga to their haul they have a big job on their hands. Marco Asensio opened the scoring and veteran midfielder Luka Modric rounded off the rout on an easy night for Los Blancos.

“Here nothing is impossible,” Eduardo Camavinga told DAZN, pledging to fight for the title until the end of the season.

“We saw it last season in the Champions League and we will play until the end.”

The French midfielder said he was happy to return to his usual position in midfield after a spell on the left of the defence.

“I like playing as pivot more, I’m not a full-back, I played there to help the team,” he added.

“Today I was a pivot and I am happy.”

Madrid were without winger Vinicius Junior, suspended, while Eder Militao returned after injury, forcing Antonio Rudiger to drop to the bench.

Bottom of the table visitors Elche, with only one win all season, were ideal opponents for Madrid to face to resume their league campaign against.