Benzema comes to Real Madrid's rescue

Real Madrid kept their title hopes alive in LaLiga Santander with a dramatic late rally to beat Elche 2-1 at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Saturday.

Sergio Ramos made his return from knee injury for Los Blancos, captaining the side and playing alongside Raphael Varane and Nacho in a back three.

The Real Madrid skipper was entangled in a couple of controversial refereeing calls at the start of the second half. One saw him appeal for a penalty after going down under Ivan Marcone's challenge. The second saw him let off the hook by the offside flag after bringing down Guido Carrillo.

Dani Calvo had given the visitors an unlikely lead around the hour mark after he lost Varane at a corner and headed the ball in via the crossbar.

Zinedine Zidane tweaked his formation shortly after the goal, with substitute Luka Modric coming up with the cross that Karim Benzema converted to equalise.

It was the French striker who had the final say in stoppage time, sweeping the ball past Edgar Badia to win all three points for the hosts.

Real Madrid are now within five points of leaders Atletico Madrid in LaLiga Santander, with Diego Simeone's side yet to play on Saturday.

Source: Marca English