Elche 1-2 Real Madrid: Player ratings as Blancos survive Copa del Rey scare

An extra-time strike from Eden Hazard ensured ten-man Real Madrid avoided a shock Copa del Rey exit with a 2-1 victory at Elche on Thursday night.

The Belgian, on as a substitute, went through on goal from David Alaba's pass and cooly rounded goalkeeper Axel Werner to secure Los Blancos' spot in the quarter-finals.

Elche wasted an excellent chance to take the lead early on as Guido Carrillo latched onto Lucas Perez's ball across goal with the net gaping, only to see his close-range effort cannon back off the bar.

Real - who started the game without Luka Modric, Casemiro and Karim Benzema as Carlo Ancelotti rotated his squad - managed some decent openings in the first half, with Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga both going close, though no goal arrived to separate the two sides before the break.

Elche had enjoyed a bright first half but their attacking potency began to wane during the second period as Real dominated the ball and looked for openings.

However, Real lacked the composure of Benzema in attack as Luka Jovic toiled up front, with the hosts holding out in impressive fashion despite having six players absent due to Covid-19.

The sides couldn't be separated in the opening 90 minutes, so extra-time ensued.

Raul Guti forced Andriy Lunin into a save with a free kick before Casemiro dribbled a shot wide. While Real had the better chances, Marcelo handed the initiative to Elche by getting sent off for a last-man challenge on Tete Morente.

From the resulting free kick, Gonzalo Verdu wrong-footed Lunin with a deflected strike which rolled into the bottom corner to give Los Franjiverdes a shock lead.

However, that lead was quickly wiped out in the second half of extra-time as Dani Ceballos' shot was deflected in by Isco for just his second goal of the season.

The turnaround was completed when Hazard went through on goal from Alaba's ball, showing his quality with an excellent finish to book his side's spot in the next round.

The drama wasn't done there, however, with Elche threatening a late equaliser. Fidel had a strike hit the back of the next, but it was disallowed due to an earlier infringement. Pere Milla was sent off for a second bookable offence in the aftermath, shortly before the game finished.

The draw for the quarter-finals will be made on Friday.

Real Madrid player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Andriy Lunin (GK) - 6/10 - Got down sharply to keep out Carrillo's header. Not overly tested in goal.

Lucas Vazquez (RB) - 5/10 - Fluffed a few crossing opportunities. Agonisingly close to converting at the back post at one time. Not really a defender and got skinned a few times.

Nacho Fernandez (CB) - 7/10 - Showed some good pace to recover the ball.

David Alaba (CB) - 8/10 - Wandered into some interesting positions when Real were on the attack. Booked for tripping Pere Milla on the edge of the box. Awesome pass helped Hazard score the winner.

Marcelo (LB) - 4/10 - Missed a cross-field pass which saw Elche nearly take the lead early on. Nice bit of skill to create an opening for Vinicius. Sent off in extra-time for taking out Morente when he was through on goal.

2. Midfielders

Federico Valverde (CM) - 6/10 - Brought the ball forward well in his box-to-box fashion. Decent enough before coming off.

Eduardo Camavinga (CM) - 7/10 - A few elegant runs with the ball in the opening stages. Hit a close-range effort straight at Elche goalie Werner. Pressed high at times and played well overall before being brought off.

Toni Kroos (CM) - 7/10 - Buzzed around and picked out some typically delicious passes. Booked when Morente dived and the referee fell for it.

3. Forwards

Rodrygo (RW) - 6/10 - Lost his footing on one occasion which ruined a chance to score.

Luka Jovic (ST) - 4/10 - Prodded a volley across goal from a tight angle, though he was offside. Doesn't have Karim Benzema's creativity up front and couldn't contribute too much.

Vinicius Junior (LW) - 6/10 - Cut in well but then fired over. Teed up nicely by Marcelo but could only skew wide when well positioned. Was a bright spark in Real's attack but couldn't provide any final product. Struck tamely at Werner with a great opportunity.

4. Substitutes

Casemiro (CM) - 6/10 - Tested Werner from the edge of the box moments after his introduction. Got booked.

Luka Modric (CM) - 6/10

Isco (AM) - 7/10 - Grabbed the important equaliser by prodding in Ceballos' shot.

Eden Hazard (RW) - 7/10 - Showed brilliant composure to round Werner and score the winner.

Dani Ceballos (CM) - 7/10 - Played a part in the goal as his shot was deflected in by Isco.

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