'Los Blancos', second, cut the gap on Barcelona at the top of La Liga to a point before the Catalans host Sevilla on Sunday. Uruguayan midfielder Valverde, who scored a sensational hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League in midweek, whipped the ball into the top corner before half-time after Antonio Rudiger blasted the hosts ahead.

Dean Huijsen headed home the third for Alvaro Arbeloa's side, who visit Man City on Tuesday aiming to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. The goal of the night, though, was scored by Turkish playmaker Guler late on, who spotted Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro off his line and lobbed home from near the centre circle.

Arbeloa was able to rest several of the players that started after the break, including Vinicius Junior, Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, bringing on a host of youngsters to keep legs fresh for the trip to Manchester.

Madrid's coach deployed captain Dani Carvajal at right-back and rested Trent Alexander-Arnold, while young midfielder Thiago Pitarch started for the fourth consecutive game.

Madrid are still without a host of injured starts including Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes, while French striker Kylian Mbappe could return from a knee sprain next week.

Elche, 17th, slumped to an 11th consecutive league game without a victory and could finish the weekend in the relegation zone. Madrid were on a high after defeating City and although Elche showed some resistance at first, they were gradually unpicked.

After Dituro saved Valverde's free-kick, Elche could not clear the rebound effectively and German centre-back Rudiger rifled home in the 39th minute. Valverde added a second before the break, showing composure to open up an angle on the edge of the box and guiding the ball into the top corner for his fifth goal in his last three appearances.

Madrid were cruising and Arbeloa brought on several young players, including Daniel Yanez. The 18-year-old winger set up Madrid's third with a fine cross which Huijsen nodded home.

Another one of Madrid's substitutes, Manuel Angel, put through his own net as he tried to cut a ball out with five minutes to go. However Guler restored Madrid's advantage with a touch of class from inside his own territory with a shot that flew high over Dituro, who chased back desperately and unsuccessfully.

Dean Huijsen

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