Real Madrid travelled to the Martinez Valero this afternoon to take on Elche in La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti’s men were on the hunt for nothing less than three points, and they were successful. They won 2-1 thanks to an excellent brace from Vinicius.
Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico last Sunday but only managed a scoreless draw at home to Osasuna during the week. Elche hadn’t won going into the game since October third, and lost 1-0 to struggling Alaves on Tuesday night.
The visitors went into the game in the knowledge that they would go top with a win, as it would draw them level on points with leaders Real Sociedad and they have a better goal difference. They were second at kick-off, while Elche were 15th.
👋 ¡Estamos en el estadio!
📍 Martínez Valero#ElcheRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/xP7urwBLXH— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) October 30, 2021
Karim Benzema was quite surprisingly left out of the team, but Madrid still had enough firepower to take a 22nd minute lead. Vinicius combined well with Mariano Diaz before arrowing a ruthless finish past Kiko Casilla in Elche’s goal.
Elche gave a good account of themselves despite going a goal down, although their task became a lot more difficult in the 62nd minute. Raul Guti, an important midfielder of theirs, saw red after picking up a second yellow following a challenge on Toni Kroos.
Shortly after, Vinicius and Madrid struck again. This time Luka Modric funnelled a smart ball into the Brazilian, who took a smart touch to set himself up before lifting the ball cooly over Casilla.
🏁 FP: @elchecf 1-2 @realmadrid
⚽ Pere Milla 86'; @vinijr 22', 73'#Emirates | #ElcheRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/NGrcihpvNH— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) October 30, 2021
It wasn’t over and done with, however. Casemiro lost the ball cheaply in the 86th minute to allow Pere Milla in on goal. The 29-year-old made no mistake and finished with composure past Thibaut Courtois. But it was mere consolation.
“Things are working out now, it’s true, but it’s work that I’ve been doing since I arrived in Madrid,” Vinicius said in comments carried by Marca on the final whistle. The Brazilian has exploded so far this season. “I want to continue helping my team until the end.
“Sometimes you have work hard in chasing the ball. It was a difficult trip but we were calm both in attack and defence. All my teammates were very important [in helping him score his brace]. Before the game, they told me they’d find me with a pass.”
