Real Madrid vs. Elche: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Cristiano Ronaldo bagged four goals as Real Madrid came from behind to defeat visiting Elche 5-1 on Tuesday in a midweek La Liga clash at the Estadio Bernabeu.

Real trailed after 15 minutes following Edu Albacar's opener for Elche, but after Gareth Bale equalised with a 20th minute header, Ronaldo scored twice in four minutes to give the hosts a 3-1 half-time lead. Ronaldo then netted twice more in the final 10 minutes as Madrid cantered to victory.

The win takes Real into fourth place on nine points through five matches. Up next for Los Blancos is a tricky trip to Villarreal on Saturday. Elche, in 14th place with four points, host Celta Vigo on Friday.

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Ronaldo makes it 13 for the season on the night No. 13 Keylor Navas makes his Real Madrid debut. Unlucky for Elche - and for Iker Casillas.

— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) September 23, 2014"

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

For Elche's visit to the Bernabeu, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti opted to leave centre-forwards Karim Benzema and Javier Hernandez on the bench. Ronaldo and Bale started together in the forward line as the Blancos deployed in a formation that resembled a cross between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Keylor Navas made his Real Madrid debut, coming into the side for veteran captain Iker Casillas.

Madrid sputtered at the start of the campaign, losing two of their first three league matches, but appeared to be heading in the right direction after winning 8-2 at Deportivo over the weekend. Ancelotti's tinkering hinted that Real remain a work in progress during the early part of the season, and Tuesday's eventful first half did little to dispel that notion. 

Elche had a first sight of goal in the fifth minute as Albacar hit the target with a deflected free-kick, but Navas read the ball well off the bounce and saved comfortably. Four minutes later at the other end, Toni Kroos hit a rasping shot wide of the post following fine work by Ronaldo down the right.

The visitors then won a penalty in the 14th minute as Ronaldo was called for a foul on Pedro Mosquera. A minute later, Albacar powered his spot-kick high into the net to give Elche a surprising 1-0 lead.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Real were incensed by what they considered a soft penalty call. But the hosts were not behind for long.

Just five minutes later, Real pulled level via Bale. James Rodriguez set up the chance, curling in an inch-perfect cross from the right. Bale glanced his header on target, with the ball slipping under Manu Herrera's fingertips on the line.

Back on level terms, Real won a penalty of their own in the 27th minute. If Real retained any sense of injustice from the earlier penalty, Elche would have even more reason to complain.

The incident began as Isco passed to Marcelo on the left edge of Elche's box. Approaching Marcelo from behind, Mosquera swept at the Real Madrid defender's legs. Replays showed contact was minimal—if there was any—but the referee pointed to the spot for the game's second penalty.

One minute later, Ronaldo rifled his spot-kick into the top corner to give Real a 2-1 lead.

Real had needed only 13 minutes to overturn their early deficit, and they weren't done yet. In the 32nd minute, Ronaldo netted his second of the game—Real's third—with a perfectly placed header from the middle of the box.

Leading 3-1 at half-time, Real kept up the attack early in the second half. Bale headed off target in the 48th minute, and Ronaldo had a shot deflected wide of the post two minutes later.

At the other end, Coro blasted high and wide of the near post in the 51st minute, though Navas appeared to have the goal covered for Real. Moments later, Ronaldo poked a shot over the bar from close range as Madrid continued the search for a fourth goal.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Navas experienced a nervous moment in the 62nd minute as the Real Madrid wall deflected an Albacar free-kick toward goal. The Costa Rican scrambled to recover, but the ball looped over the bar. From the ensuing corner, Navas saved David Lomban's header at his back post.

Ronaldo, still looking to complete his hat-trick, forced Herrera into a near-post save with a low, fierce drive in the 65th minute. Fifteen minutes later, the Portuguese superstar grabbed his third goal after winning and converting a penalty.

Mario Pasalic was guilty of the infraction, tripping Ronaldo from behind in the 80th minute. Ronaldo then rifled in his spot-kick to finish off his hat-trick and polish off Real's second consecutive league win.

There was still time for more, though. In stoppage time, Bale picked out Ronaldo's angled run into the box with an inch-perfect pass. After taking a touch, Ronaldo slotted past Herrera for Real's fifth.

Grades

Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid: A

Ronaldo conceded an early penalty, but that was perhaps the only blot on his record Tuesday night. All four goals showcased the Portuguese forward's superior finishing ability, and after 90 minutes, it appeared only the full-time whistle would be able to stop Real's superstar.

Keylor Navas, Real Madrid: A

Navas finally received his chance in goal, starting for the first time since his move to the Bernabeu. The Costa Rican was not particularly busy Tuesday night, but he did not need to be.

In the opening minutes, Navas alertly pushed away a tricky free-kick, and although he conceded a goal, it came via a perfectly taken penalty. 

Navas' performance does not necessarily mean he will definitely depose Casillas as Real's starter, but he did nothing to hurt his chances, either.

Post-Match Reaction

Cristiano Ronaldo credited his teammates following his four-goal performance, telling Diario AS (via Goal.com):

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To score four goals is very hard. I thank my teammates for setting me up. I've done it (scoring four times in one match) two or three times. Thanks to my teammates for helping me. This match ball is for my son.

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Speaking about manager Carlo Ancelotti's decision to play Keylor Navas in goal ahead of Iker Casillas, Ronaldo added:

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They are the coach's  decisions and we have to respect them. We can't always talk about the same things. Iker and Keylor are the best goalkeepers in the league. That theme is tired. The important thing is to keep going and improve. The goalkeepers issue is closed.

"