Hazard rescues Real Madrid in extra time
Real Madrid came from behind to eventually break Elche's stubborn resistance and qualify for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.
Carlo Ancelotti's men were taken to extra-time by Fran Escriba's purposeful side and it looked like a huge shock was on the cards when Gonzalo Verdu struck in the 103rd minute. But goals from Isco and Eden Hazard secured Real Madrid's comeback.
Together with their lead at the top of LaLiga Santander and their position in the Champions League knockout stages, the win keeps Los Blancos' season alive on all fronts.
It was a scratch Real Madrid side that took to the field at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, with the likes of Marcelo, Luka Jovic and Andriy Lunin all getting rare starts.
And that resulted in a largely disjointed opening from Real Madrid, with Elche's Guido Carillo somehow hitting the bar early on when it looked far easier to score.
It wasn't the first time Carrillo had a sight of goal as midway through the first half he couldn't make the most of an inviting Johan Mojica corner, before the same combination saw Lunin forced into more meaningful action.
Real Madrid grew into the tie as the interval neared but despite threatening through the increasingly influential Vinicius Junior, they couldn't find the breakthrough.
Real Madrid's Isco celebrates after scoringAP
The second half saw Real Madrid on top but the stalemate continued, despite a late chance for Vinicius. Extra time however was altogether more lively, with three goals and a sending off.
The first two of those blows went the way of Elche, as Real Madrid saw Marcelo expelled having brought down Tete Morente, and then remarkably los Franjiverdes took the lead through Verdu's deflected effort.
Elche were on the verge of beating Real Madrid for the first time since 1978, but their hopes were dashed late on as first Isco and then Hazard saved their side's blushes.
The two sides face each other again on Sunday in LaLiga Santander.
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