Real Madrid 4-1 Elche: La Liga – as it happened

The live coverage of Real Madrid 4-1 Elche has now ended.

Goals from Rudiger, Valverde, Huijsen and Ada Guler got the job done against Elche to leave Real Madrid just a point behind Barcelona at the top of La Liga, with the Catalan side hosting Sevilla on Sunday.

Thanks for following along tonight. We hope you enjoyed our coverage from Santiago Bernabeu.

As well as La Liga action, we’ll also be covering a huge game in the Premier League this weekend.

Manchester United and Aston Villa is one of English football’s grandest old fixtures, and Sunday’s game at Old Trafford has huge ramifications on the race for a Champions League place.

As ever, we’ll have every angle covered for you, right here on Al Jazeera.

With the game done and dusted, Alvaro Arbeloa opted to bring off a large number of his first-team players against Elche, and with good reason.

Madrid now travel to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash against Manchester City, where they lead 3-0 from the first leg.

After that? Well, it’s the small matter of a home Madrid derby against fierce rivals Atletico Madrid – a key clash in the title race.

Click here to read our match report following Real’s win.

While all the talk will be about Real Madrid’s win, Elche remain in a perilous position at the bottom of the league.

Not only have they failed to win any of their 11 games so far in 2026, but they’re also just a point outside the relegation zone and will be hoping 18th placed Mallorca don’t get a result at home to Espanyol in their game.

Full Time: Real Madrid 4-1 Elche

Things were looking a little iffy for Real Madrid up until Antonio Rudiger fired them into the lead in the 39th minute.

The crowd were whistling, and Los Blancos were struggling to break down a stubborn Elche, but once they did, the floodgates opened.

It’s a really important win for Alvaro Arbeloa’s side, who move to within one point of league leaders Barcelona.

Full Time: Real Madrid 4-1 Elche

It’s all over here at the Santiago Bernabeu, and it’s a convincing win for Real Madrid.

Goals from Rudiger, Valverde and Huijsen had Real Madrid cruising at 3-0, but while Elche profited from an own goal, a stunning long-range lob from Arda Guler sealed an impressive result for Los Blancos.

Full Time: Real Madrid 4-1 Elche

They say Thibaut Courtois makes one world-class save in every game, and he’s just done it here.

Rafa Mir’s header from a free kick goes back across goal and is met by the head of Andre Silva, but Courtois is on hand to prevent a certain goal as he leaps backwards to tip the effort over the bar.

90+4 mins: Real Madrid 4-1 Elche

The fourth official has indicated there will be a minimum of five minutes added on at the Bernabeu.

90+1 mins: Real Madrid 4-1 Elche

Arda Guler has just scored from well inside his own half!

After winning the ball back inside the Real Madrid half, Guler collects it and, fully 10 metres back from the halfway line, spots Dituro off his line and launches a long-range effort that sails over the keeper’s head and into the net.

Stunning!

89 mins: Real Madrid 4-1 Elche

Real Madrid look to re-establish their three-goal lead as Arda Guler collects the ball on the edge of the Elche box, bit his left-footed effort flies past the far post.

87 mins: Real Madrid 3-1 Elche

Elche have scored, and it’s an own goal!

Camavinga gives the ball away inside his own box, and Diangana’s cut-back is turned into his own net by Manuel Angel.

85 mins: Real Madrid 3-1 Elche

Febas and Pedrosa combine well down the Elche left, and when Pedrosa hits the byline, he stands up a cross to the back post, but despite towering over Fran Garcia, striker Rafa Mir heads harmlessly over the bar.

Sums up Elche’s night in front of the goal.

83 mins: Real Madrid 3-0 Elche

A well-worked Elche move results in the ball being driven across the Real Madrid goal, and it’s about to be tapped home before Manuel Angel produces an excellent sliding tackle to clear the ball away.

80 mins: Real Madrid 3-0 Elche

Gonzalo Garcia played through on goal, but his left-footed strike is low and straight at the Elche keeper.

The three points are in the bag here, with just under 10 minutes left to play, and the Santiago Bernabeu crowd is singing loud and proud.

78 mins: Real Madrid 3-0 Elche

On a booking, Affengruber comes off and is replaced by Pedro Bigas.

Meanwhile, the ineffective Neto is replaced by Grady Diangana, who, funnily enough, was a former teammate of Alvaro Arbeloa at West Ham back in the day.

74 mins: Real Madrid 3-0 Elche

Among the plethora of Real Madrid changes, Elche made three of their own.

Marc Aguado, Josan and Rafa Mir all came on for the visitors, in place of Petrot, Cepeda and Redondo. Meanwhile, Affengruber is now walking a tightrope after receiving a booking.

69 mins: Real Madrid 3-0 Elche

Real Madrid are in cruise control here, and Elche have fallen to pieces. Captain Carvajal collects the ball on the right and surges towards goal before unleashing a low effort that flies past the far post.

69 mins: Real Madrid 3-0 Elche

They’ve made plenty of changes, but it hasn’t disrupted Real Madrid.

Yanez collects the ball out on the right, cuts onto his left foot and whips a delightful cross into the box, which is headed home by Huijsen, who had stayed forward from a set piece.

66 mins: Real Madrid 3-0 Elche

Arbeloa used to coach Real Madrid Castilla, and he is seemingly giving every one of those players an opportunity here tonight.

Now it’s Cesar Palacios who comes on for Brahim, while Manuel Angel replaces Pitarch.

64 mins: Real Madrid 2-0 Elche