Real Madrid 4-0 Elche: Karim Benzema double puts hosts back on track in La Liga

Real Madrid romped to a 4-0 victory at home to struggling Elche to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to eight points.

Los Blancos took the lead after just eight minutes when Marco Asensio was able to dance past two Elche defenders before firing a low effort past Edgar Badia.

The hosts continued to push forward in search of goals against the team with the most goals conceded in La Liga and after half an hour they had a penalty and a chance to double their lead. Rodrygo was tripped in the box and Karim Benzema was on hand to step up and expertly smash the ball home past Badia.

On the stroke of half-time Madrid had their second penalty of the night. Benzema's header struck the arm of Enzo Roca and the referee instantly pointed to the spot. The Frenchman stepped up to rifle home his second of the match, taking his La Liga tally to 11 goals in 13 appearances.

Elche goalkeeper Badia pulled off a string of superb saves in the second half to keep the score down- including two very smart saves within a minute of each other, both to deny Rodrygo.

After 65 minutes Badia was once again called upon, this time the goalkeeper was on hand to deny an acrobatic Asensio effort that would have been a spectacular goal.

Real Madrid kept pushing forward, ruthlessly searching for another goal and 10 minutes from time they had their fourth and final goal. Substitute Luka Modric received the ball on the edge of the box before firing a superb effort into the top left corner, a magical finish from the midfield maestro.

Could it be that the ruthless Real Madrid has returned in the last few days? Tonight's victory was the first time Madrid have won by a clear four-goal margin in the league. Winning and winning comfortably was clearly something the Los Blancos players had on their minds, even at 3-0 they were pushing intently for a fourth goal and when they got that, they continued pushing for another.

Just a couple of days ago they put five past Al-Hilal and four past Al Ahly in the FIFA Club World Cup, meaning in their last three matches they've scored 13 goals. It looks like Carlo Ancelotti's side are finally hitting their stride just in time for a crucial run that includes games against Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

The French forward was superb today, adding another two goals to his La Liga tally as he tries to fully get up and running in the second half of the season. It was just his 13th appearance of the season after suffering with injuries but he looks to be fit and firing now. He played some great passes around the area and was involved in a lot of Madrid's sweeping moves - it was also his header which won the penalty. A great performance from the 35-year-old.

REAL MADRID: Lunin 7, Carvajal 7, Militao 7, Nacho 7, Alaba 7, Valverde 7, Camavinga 7, Ceballos 7, Asensio 8, Benzema 9, Rodrygo 8

SUBS: Odriozola 6, Modric 7, Arribas 6, Tchouameni 7, Diaz 6

ELCHE CF: Badia 7, Magallan 6, Roco 5, Gonzalez 5, Clerc 6, Fidel 6, Gumbau 6, Guti 6, Carmona 6, Ponce 6, Nteka 6

SUBS: Lirola 6, Verdu 6, Cheikh 6, Morente 6, Boye 6

8' GOAL - REAL MADRID - A beautiful goal from Marco Asensio! He picks the ball up and takes it past two Elche defenders before driving an effort low into the bottom corner.

15' WIDE FROM BENZEMA! - That is a big chance from Karim Benzema and one we expect him to score. He gets his head on a cross but can only divert his header wide of the goal.

31' GOAL - REAL MADRID - An unstoppable spot kick from Karim Benzema into the top right corner, his tenth goal of the season and Real Madrid are 2-0 up.

37' CHANCE FOR ELCHE! - Ponce plays in Carmona on the right who fires an effort first time towards goal but it's wide of the post. That was a good chance for Elche.

45' GOAL - REAL MADRID - Karim Benzema smashes home another penalty, his second of the match and Real Madrid are 3-0 up! And that is game over you feel.

80' GOAL - REAL MADRID - A SUPERB goal from Luka Modric! The ball falls to the Croatian veteran just inside the box and he wraps home his effort into the top left-hand corner.