Real Madrid dramatically rescued a result against Elche for the second time in four days as Eder Militao's stoppage-time header snatched a 2-2 LaLiga draw.
The league leaders recovered from a goal down in Thursday's Copa del Rey defeat of the same side and this time trailed by two, as Lucas Boye and Pere Milla – sent off in midweek – looked set to condemn Madrid to a first home loss in 21 league matches.
Karim Benzema had missed a first-half penalty for the hosts, too, but Luka Modric pulled a goal back from the spot with eight minutes remaining when Milla was punished for handball.
Militao then headed home a dramatic equalizer in the 92nd minute to deny Elche a first win in this fixture since March 1978 and restore a four-point gap to second-placed Sevilla.
Madrid had carried the greater threat before falling behind. Vinicius Junior, Benzema and Casemiro were all denied by Edgar Badia, while Toni Kroos' powerful long-range effort was just off target.
Carlo Ancelotti's men were presented with a golden opportunity to break the deadlock when Vinicius was brought down by Helibelton Palacios in the 32nd minute, only for Benzema to send his spot-kick over the crossbar.
Elche punished their opponents' wastefulness two minutes before the break when Boye arrived to head in Fidel's inviting cross.
Pressure up
Badia continued to keep the hosts at bay, producing a magnificent reflex save to claw away Kroos' delicious free-kick while also again keeping out Benzema and Casemiro.
Kroos and Vinicius again went close as Madrid turned up the pressure, but the visitors doubled their lead in the 76th minute.
Boye was involved once more as he slipped in Milla, who calmly slotted past Thibaut Courtois.
However, Modric halved the deficit from the spot after Milla was penalized, before Militao headed in Vinicius' cross to stun Elche again at the last.
