Isco canceled out Gonzalo Verdu's opener before Eden Hazard struck the winner to take Real Madrid through to the next round of the competition.
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Real Madrid came from behind to beat Elche 2-1 in the Copa del Rey round of 16 fixture at Manuel Martinez Valero stadium on Thursday. The Los Blancos were taken to extra time and Fran Escriba’s men took a surprise lead through Gonzalo Verdu in the 103rd minute. But, five minutes later, Isco equalized before Eden Hazard struck the winner in the 115th minute to take Carlo Ancelotti’s men to the last 8 stage of the competition. Together with their lead at the top of the La Liga Santander and their position in the Champions League knock-out stages, the win keeps Real Madrid’s season alive on all fronts.
? FP: @elchecf 1-2 @realmadrid
⚽ Verdú 103′; @isco_alarcon 108′, @hazardeden10 115′#CopaDelRey | #Emirates pic.twitter.com/rKlUqcGPeC— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 20, 2022
Elche started the match brightly and should have got in front inside the opening 10 minutes when Marcelo’s missed interception allowed Josan Fernandez to go clear in the box, the winger’s cross found Carrillo in front of goal, but the latter’s attempt from two yards out hit the crossbar. It will go down as one of the worst misses of the season.
Few minutes later, An excellent cross from the left flank by Mojica found Carrillo inside the box, but the forwards header was brilliantly saved by Real Madrid goalkeeper Lunin. Eight minutes from time, a brilliant flick from Marcelo on the edge of the box put Vinicius through, and with the entire goal to aim at, the Brazilian fired straight to the goalkeeper.
As both teams failed to break the deadlock in regulation time, the match went to extra-time. In the 96th minute, Lunin made a brilliant save to keep out Gerard Gumbau’s free-kick from the edge of the box. Six minutes later, Marcelo was sent off for a red card offense as he brought down Tete Morente who could have gone through on goal.
Elche broke the deadlock from the resulting free-kick. Gonzalo Verdu’s free-kick was blocked but the substitute slotted home from the rebound with the help of a slight deflection on its way past Lunin.Â
Despite playing with a man-less, Real Madrid leveled the score through Isco. Dani Ceballos’ shot from inside the box deflected off Isco and went into the net. After the equaliser, Real Madrid played with more intent and looked likely to get the winner, and they did get it.Â
David Alaba played a superb ball down the left for Hazard, who raced forward before getting past an advancing goalkeeper and finished off with ease from a tight angle from just inside the box. It was the Belgian international’s first goal in eight months. The two sides face each other again on Sunday in La Liga Santander.
