Atletico Madrid missed the chance to leapfrog Real Madrid into second place in LaLiga on Sunday, as Ivo Grbic's error proved costly in a 1-0 defeat to relegated Elche.

Diego Simeone's men had the opportunity to go one point clear of their city rivals at the Estadio Martinez Valero, but their three-match winning run ground to a halt as Fidel Chaves restored some pride for LaLiga's bottom club.

Elche took the lead on the stroke of half-time as Grbic – deputising for the injured Jan Oblak – miscued his punch from Lautaro Blanco's long throw, allowing skipper Fidel to hook his finish into an unguarded net.

Edgar Badia made an excellent one-on-one save to deny Alvaro Morata an equaliser after the break, but Elche went closest to a second goal with both Pere Milla and Lucas Boye missing clear chances.

Though Atleti have all but sealed a top-four finish, they have work to do to overhaul Los Blancos, sitting two points adrift of Carlo Ancelotti's men in third with four games remaining.

Xavi highlighted Barcelona's success as a team effort rather than down to individual performances after a comfortable 4-0 win in LaLiga over Elche.

A Robert Lewandowski double, plus goals for Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres, saw the Blaugrana swat aside their rock-bottom hosts at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.

Against a team who look almost certain to be relegated, there were few doubts about Barca's superiority.

But Xavi was quick to praise his side's unsung heroes as much as their headline-makers, stating his belief that it is a balance of both that will bring them the title.

"It has been a rounded night," he said. "[It was] a very good game, from start to finish. We have a team with players who do not necessarily participate too much.

"[But] they performed at a high level. This is [the definition of] a team. We have taken one more step [towards the championship], we are closer. We have shown that we are a unit."

The coach highlighted the versatility of several of his players, including Eric Garcia, who played in midfield, and Marcos Alonso, who fulfilled a centre-back role.

On Fati, Xavi was happy to see the player put his off-field distractions behind him, following a week where his father complained about his lack of minutes for the club.

"Ansu made a difference," he added. "It has left him exhausted, but he has done a great job for the team. His goal comes because of his work ethic and talent.

"He has that, and it will come out. If he continues to work like this, he will end up playing more often."

Robert Lewandowski's latest Barcelona double helped take them another step closer to the LaLiga title with a 4-0 win over rock-bottom Elche on Saturday.

The Poland international's goals either side of an Ansu Fati finish helped the Blaugrana cruise to a comfortable victory at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.

Ferran Torres added a fourth as Xavi's visitors moved 15 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid in the table to further underline their domestic dominance this season.

For Sebastian Beccacece, Elche's fourth different boss of the season, it was a chastening reminder of the task at hand.

Barca pressed hard for an opener from the start and were duly rewarded 20 minutes in when Lewandowski turned in a Ronald Araujo header from Jordi Alba's free-kick.

But Lewandowski missed a golden opportunity to double the visitors' lead before the break with a flying header, as did Jules Kounde when he saw Edgar Badia save his shot.

The Blaugrana were more ruthless in the second half, though.

Fati capped off a fluent breakaway move with a cool, low finish to put Barca two up in the 56th minute

Lewandowski was then on hand 10 minutes later, latching onto a Gavi throughball and dispatching a neat finish, before Torres brought down the forward's looping pass outside the box for a fine strike of his own.

That added a last touch of gloss to a dominant performance that edges Barca closer to silverware.

Xavi insisted it is not the time to talk about a potential reunion with Lionel Messi as Barcelona close in on the LaLiga title.

Having already secured the Supercopa de Espana, the club's first silverware since Messi's departure in 2021, Barcelona have a commanding 12-point lead in LaLiga and hold a 1-0 lead in the Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid.

A potential treble remains on the cards for Xavi's side, but with Messi now in the final months of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain, the clamour to bring the Argentina World Cup winner back to Camp Nou is growing.

While Xavi is understandably keen to bring his former team-mate back to Barcelona, he is focused on upcoming matches and not potential transfer activity.

"I think this is not the time to talk about Messi's return. I talk to Leo often, I have a friendship, but this is not the time," he told reporters ahead of facing Elche.

"Neither for his sake nor for that of the club. It is a subject that is being discussed, I have a lot of contact with him.

"Hopefully, we can see him again here, I would be the first one who would be made happy. He is the best player in history, but boy, it's not the time.

"We are a month away from winning two titles, and it's time to focus.

"It doesn't depend on me, it depends much more on what Leo wants to do. He's done everything in football, he's won everything; it depends on his happiness.

"I have a great relationship with him, and if he has the decision that he wants to come back, we will listen to him and be delighted.

"We're going to listen to fate. Let's see what happens, there's nothing yet. Let's see the will he has.

"We do a disservice to Leo, the team, the club. We are one step away from achieving success in the post-Messi era that scared us so much. This is success."

Pressed further on Messi and next season, Xavi again sought to shift the focus towards the push for further silverware in this campaign.

"We haven't talked about next year with the board," he said. "We are one step away from winning titles and you talk to me about signings next year. You are specialists in changing the subject.

"On Wednesday, we can go to the Copa final. Everything is to be won.

"Sometimes I do not understand you [the media]. All year round, the talk is to win titles, and now that we are one step away, we talk about players for next season. Let's focus on Elche."

Eduardo Camavinga says "nothing is impossible" as Real Madrid vow to fight for the LaLiga title after Wednesday's 4-0 win over Elche closed the gap to eight points at the top.

Second-placed Madrid trail Barcelona with 17 games to play, having dropped points in four of their previous nine league games while Barcelona have gone on a six-game winning run.

The Blaugrana have not lost in the league since Los Blancos triumphed 3-1 in the Clasico on October 16, opening up a sizable lead at the summit in the meantime.

"Nothing is impossible at this club," Camavinga told reporters. "We saw that last year with the Champions League, we're going to fight to the end to win LaLiga."

Madrid's victory, achieved after a Karim Benzema first-half double along with goals from Marco Asensio and Luka Modric, comes after they lifted the Club World Cup to shake off their unconvincing league form.

"I would like to thank the fans for their support and we're happy with the win," Camavinga added. "The team is in good shape and we're going to keep going.

"This is a difficult month but we're going to give it all we have."

Dani Ceballas, who started and was replaced by Modric in the 68th minute in midfield, said the eight-gap were surmountable.

"It was important to win to match Barcelona's good run," Ceballos said. "Eight points are not insurmountable and this team deserves to fight until the end and that's what we're going to do until the last game."

Vice-captain Nacho added that the win over Elche offered a timely confidence boost.

"A clean sheet and a game full of goals. Couldn't ask for any more," he said. "The team put in a complete performance from the off, despite Elche's current form.

"We needed to take the points to stay in the chase in LaLiga. These three points mean we're still right in the fight."

Carlo Ancelotti saluted "complete" Karim Benzema after the Real Madrid captain became the club's second-highest LaLiga scorer of all time.

The striker struck twice from the penalty spot in Wednesday's commanding 4-0 win over bottom side Elche, taking his Spanish top-flight tally for the club to 230 goals – surpassing Raul's 228 – with only Cristiano Ronaldo netting more on 311.

Marco Asensio and Luka Modric were also on target as Ancelotti's side closed the gap on league leaders Barcelona to eight points.

And the Italian paid tribute to his in-form number nine, who has now been directly involved in 15 goals in his last 14 appearances for Madrid (12 goals, three assists).

"Karim is not just a striker," the Italian said. "He is very complete, he combines well – today especially with Rodrygo. He is always ready in the area and helps us a lot in possession.

"His career is fantastic and hopefully he can continue. Real Madrid wants him at this level.

"Every game is good to gain confidence. When you win 3-0 and relax, there can be problems and I don't want it. The moment is good. We must maintain this dynamic of concentration and commitment."

Ancelotti also defended his decision to bench Modric, who completed the rout with a wonderful strike 10 minutes from time, as Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde comprised Madrid's three-man midfield.

The head coach highlighted the importance of rotation with his squad aiming to chase down Barca, while a blockbuster Champions League last-16 tie with Liverpool is also on the horizon.

"Modric is untouchable for me and for everyone. Everyone is important, and I have total confidence in everyone," Ancelotti said. "I have to rotate because it's a very demanding season.

"The statistics say that [Toni] Kroos scored against [Athletic] Bilbao when coming off the bench [in last month's 2-0 win] and that, today, Modric has scored coming off the bench. From there, they can contribute goals."

Karim Benzema became Real Madrid’s second-highest LaLiga scorer of all time as Los Blancos eased past bottom side Elche in a 4-0 victory.

The Madrid captain was on target twice from the penalty spot at Santiago Bernabeu, where Marco Asensio had broken the deadlock, while Luka Modric completed the rout later on.

Benzema surpassed legendary striker Raul by taking his Spanish top-flight tally for the club to 230 goals, with only Cristiano Ronaldo (311) netting more.

With Barcelona in Europa League action on Thursday, Carlo Ancelotti’s side capitalised by closing the gap on the league leaders to eight points.

Fresh from claiming a record-extending fifth Club World Cup crown, Madrid took the lead in the eighth minute. Receiving the ball from Dani Carvajal, Asensio weaved through a couple of challenges before slotting past Edgar Badia.

Benzema doubled the lead just after the half-hour mark when he calmly tucked away from 12 yards after his header had been blocked by Enzo Roco’s hand.

Madrid star Benzema repeated the feat in first-half stoppage time, sweeping past Badia after Diego Gonzalez felled Rodrygo.

The hosts looked to stretch their advantage further after the break. Badia kept Rodrygo out twice in as many minutes, while the Elche goalkeeper also denied Benzema his hat-trick.

Benzema and Eduardo Camavinga were marginally off target and Asensio drew smart reflexes from Badia with his fierce volley as Madrid looked to put the icing on the cake.

And they eventually did 10 minutes from time when substitute Modric controlled in the box before superbly drilling into the top corner 

Karim Benzema has surpassed Raul as Real Madrid's second-highest goalscorer in LaLiga.

Benzema moved onto 229 LaLiga goals, from 428 appearances in the competition, as he slotted in from the penalty spot to nose Carlo Ancelotti's side into a 2-0 lead against Elche on Wednesday.

Marcos Asensio's superb goal gave Los Blancos an early lead at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Benzema doubling their advantage just past the half-hour mark after Enzo Roco had handled in Elche's box.

Benzema subsequently scored his 230th LaLiga goal before half-time, converting his second spot-kick of the match.

Madrid great Raul took 550 matches to net his 228 LaLiga goals, meaning Benzema has overtaken him in 122 fewer games.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who is Madrid's record goalscorer, stands way clear of Benzema on 311 goals from just 292 LaLiga appearances.

Benzema was already Madrid's second-highest goalscorer across all competitions, having surpassed Raul last year in that regard.

Carlo Ancelotti insists Real Madrid will fight to claw back Barcelona in the LaLiga title race.

Los Blancos sit in second place, 11 points behind their Clasico rivals with a game in hand, which they play against Elche at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Fresh from winning the Club World Cup after beating Al Hilal 5-3 in Morocco at the weekend, Ancelotti stated his belief that winning trophies makes you hungrier for more.

"I don't think it's a problem for Real Madrid," he told reporters. "The idea I have is that winning helps you win. When you win you feel things you want to repeat.

"Repeating is motivation for us. We have a disadvantage in LaLiga, but we're going to fight."

Madrid have won just four of their last nine LaLiga games (D2, L3) and were beaten 1-0 at Real Mallorca last time out.

"I don't need to give arguments," Ancelotti added. "Our fans know the professionalism of this team, of these players. They know that we are going to fight every game. I don't think anyone thinks that we are in a 'critical' situation."

The Italian coach was without Thibaut Courtois in Morocco, with the goalkeeper getting injured prior to the Mallorca defeat, but while Courtois will also not be available against Elche, Ancelotti believes he could have the 2022 Yashin Trophy winner back for Saturday's game against Osasuna.

Toni Kroos will also be missing on Wednesday through illness, though Eder Militao and Lucas Vazquez are in line to return.

"Courtois will not be there tomorrow, I hope he will be there for Saturday against Osasuna," he said. "Militao returns, Lucas returns... We have Kroos out, who has a problem."

Ancelotti was positive about Kroos' long-term availability, though, hinting that the German midfielder could sign a new deal with the club.

"I know what is going to happen, but I can't say it. I'm not Kroos," he said. "He hasn't told me, but the feeling is that he's going to renew, but we'll see."

When asked about Karim Benzema doing the same, Ancelotti replied: "I don't know, but I repeat: the legends of Real Madrid must retire at Real Madrid."

He was more certain that Benzema will still be at the club next season, though, despite suggestions that Madrid will be in the market for a new striker at the end of this campaign.

"Well, that Madrid needs a nine is an opinion," he said. "We have Karim, who is not a child, but he will be with us next year. This is not the time to think about next year."

LaLiga has been urged by Spain's Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) to implement the semi-automated offside tool after the VAR failed to rule out an offside goal in Monday's game between Cadiz and Elche.

Bottom-of-the-league Elche rescued a late point away to Cadiz, who are also in the relegation zone, thanks to Ezequiel Ponce's 81st-minute header.

Ponce played a part in the move building up to the goal as well, and replays showed his initial involvement came when he was offside.

As such, the goal should have been disallowed, but the VAR did not bring it to the attention of referee Carlos del Cerro Grande. 

The CTA recognised the error, before offering LaLiga a way to prevent such incidents occurring again.

"Putting an end to human error is not possible, but it is possible in offside [decisions] if the semi-automatic tool is applied," a statement read.

"For this reason, we invite [LaLiga] to implement the semi-automatic offside technology after the experience carried out by the RFEF [Royal Spanish Football Federation] in the last Spanish Super Cup, which avoids any type of failure in decision-making regarding this game action through the activation of a series of alerts that makes the tool infallible.

"In this sense, from the CTA we announce we will resume talks with [LaLiga]. Spanish football deserves to continue growing in a cutting-edge context to avoid situations that can be corrected with the application of technology.

"The semi-automatic offside will also be carried out in the Copa del Rey final, since the implementation of this technology can only be carried out in the First Division Champions League stadiums and not in the rest of the first and second division.

"The CTA has already taken the strictest internal disciplinary measures [against the officials involved] that will affect some already announced designations."

Alvaro Morata did not realise he had scored Atletico Madrid's second goal against Elche as they snapped a three-game winless run in LaLiga with a 2-0 victory on Thursday.

The Spain international was on hand to score for the Rojiblancos after Joao Felix had given them the lead at the Metropolitano to deliver three points for Diego Simeone's side.

But Morata did not initially believe he had finished his effort, after going to ground following a challenge as he shaped to shoot.

His finish arced over Edgar Badia and in, with the forward not realising until he saw team-mate Antoine Griezmann's celebrations.

"I was on the ground and I thought it had been a goal for Griezmann," he told Movistar. "I thought that after the rebound, he had scored.

"It was important to win. Especially in our stadium, we want the fans to have a good end to their year. We thank them for our support."

Simeone concurred on the crucial nature of his side's result, while also praising 19-year-old Pablo Barrios after the midfielder impressed on his first LaLiga start.

"We were looking to do damage," he added. "When we found our first goal, it gave us piece of mind. I'm heading home happy with the work and effort from the whole team.

"We showed desire. It is time to continue working with humility. As for Pablo, when a boy like him plays, you have to accompany him. You have to lead him in the best way, so as to not rush him. Football has no age."

Goals from Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata handed Atletico Madrid a much-needed LaLiga victory as they secured a 2-0 win against rock-bottom Elche on Thursday.

There were three red cards in the contest, with Elche captain Gonzalo Verdu dismissed late in the first half before Mario Hermoso was sent off for the hosts early in the second.

Joao Felix and Morata struck after that to seal the win, with Elche substitute Domingos Quina also seeing red in stoppage time as the Rojiblancos eased to three points at the Metropolitano.

After a three-game winless streak ahead of the mid-season World Cup break checked their momentum, Diego Simeone's side will be relieved to get back to winning ways.

Chances were few and far between for Atletico in the first half, and it was telling that even Verdu's VAR-assisted dismissal for an off-the-ball foul on Morata just before the break did little to lift them.

Their man advantage was temporary too, with Hermoso handed his marching orders after back-to-back bookings, the second for a reckless foul on Helibelton Palacios after the interval.

But Joao Felix's close-range header, turning in Antoine Griezmann's short rebound cross, gave a fresh lease of life to the hosts and allowed them to play with greater freedom.

That translated into a second goal, this time after Morata exquisitely dribbled in off the right wing to turn the defence inside out in the 74th minute, and effectively put the game to bed with a deflected effort that lopped over Edgar Badia and in.

Elche's efforts to respond saw their discipline slip once again, with late substitute Quina also dismissed for a quick double booking, the second after a clumsy foul on Morata, as Atletico cruised through to victory.

Diego Simeone believes Atletico Madrid have a hugely talented squad but he as coach is letting them down.

Atletico were LaLiga champions as recently as the 2020-21 season, yet they are way off the pace in the title race this term.

Barcelona lead the way with 37 points, with Simeone's side way back on 24 points in fifth place.

But the coach thinks his squad are still capable of challenging, suggesting he is at fault for their difficult campaign.

"We have a great squad – four players in the World Cup final," Simeone said on Wednesday ahead of facing Elche.

"Maybe the one who is not giving everything is the coach. We have a great squad. I'm the one I have to improve so they can raise their level in LaLiga.

"They are more or less the same names that won LaLiga, except [Kieran] Trippier and [Luis] Suarez.

"The base of the LaLiga starters are here; there's [Angel] Correa, [Yannick] Carrasco, Joao [Felix], [Jose] Gimenez... we added [Antoine] Griezmann.

"The coach is the one who is failing more than anything else."

For this reason, Simeone is not concerned by the January transfer window, focusing instead on getting his key men fit and firing.

"When we have been on all four legs, we become strong. We need all four legs and that strength," he said. "We have proven it for many years and we will continue to."

Manchester United have reached the end of their tether with Cristiano Ronaldo and want the superstar out of the club as soon as January, reports say.

The apparent refusal by Ronaldo to come on as a substitute against Tottenham on Wednesday, before flouncing off before the final whistle, has led to the striker being barred from playing any part in this weekend's Premier League clash with Chelsea.

Now Ronaldo may have played his last game for the club, unless bridges can be rebuilt.

TOP STORY – RONALDO'S UNITED FUTURE IN DOUBT

Ronaldo's last visible matchday act as a Manchester United player could turn out to be the moment he walked down the tunnel before the final whistle blew in the Spurs game.

That act looks to have been one of rebellion, with widespread reports now stating Ronaldo had declined to come off the bench late in the game.

According to the i newspaper and The Sun, among others, United boss Erik ten Hag has decided enough is enough and the time has come to part ways with the 37-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Ronaldo's performances in his second United stint have been mixed, and amid diminishing returns Ten Hag is said to want Ronaldo moved on to another club in January, or for his contract to be terminated. Ronaldo's deal runs to the end of this season.

There appeared to be a dearth of suitors during the last transfer window when Ronaldo looked keen on a move, so arranging a transfer for the former Real Madrid star may not be straightforward, unless of course he excels with Portugal at the World Cup.

ROUND-UP

- Ruben Neves has unfinished business at Porto and the 25-year-old Wolves midfielder has revealed he wants to return to the Primeira Liga giants while still in his prime years. He left at the age of 20 to join his current club. Portugal international Neves told Canal 11: "Returning to FC Porto is something I really want to happen, but it's impossible to say when. I hope I'm in the best conditions and that they still want me. I don't know how I'll be in a few years, but my goal is not to go to FC Porto to finish my career, but to win titles. I was there for three years and I didn't win."

- Andriy Lunin has shown himself to be a handy deputy for Thibaut Courtois in the Real Madrid goal, but will he stay at Santiago Bernabeu? Mundo Deportivo says the Ukrainian goalkeeper could leave before the end of his contract, which runs to 2024, if he becomes frustrated with life on the bench, with the newspaper suggesting Madrid would not stand in his way.

- Lazio are said to be looking for back-up for Ciro Immobile, their experienced Italy striker, and have reportedly got their eye on two Spain-based forwards. According to Corriere dello Sport, the players being eyed by Maurizio Sarri are Elche's Argentine frontman Lucas Boye and Sevilla's Spaniard Rafa Mir.

Real Madrid extended their unbeaten streak this season to 15 games across all competitions with a 3-0 LaLiga victory against Elche, despite seeing three goals disallowed by VAR.

Federico Valverde opened the scoring with a fine strike from outside the box, his sixth goal of the season, with Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio sealing the result in the second half.

The Frenchman's goal came after he had seen three attempts disallowed by VAR for offside, which could have been decisive had Carlos Clerc headed home a glorious opportunity for an equaliser.

Andriy Lunin's save kept him at bay, however, with Benzema's goal then ensuring there would be no comeback and Asensio adding further gloss to the scoreline late on.

A frantic start saw Benzema tap home after six minutes, though the effort was disallowed for offside, but Valverde's strike just five minutes later did count, smashing home from outside the box after Vinicius Junior's shot was deflected into his path.

Three minutes before the half hour mark, Benzema was again frustrated by VAR after a second goal for the freshly crowned Ballon d'Or winner was chalked off, leaving Elche still in the game at the interval.

Benzema's frustrations would continue in the second period, the Frenchman seeing a goal disallowed for the third time by VAR for offside in the build-up on the hour mark.

Clerc should have made Real regret those spurned opportunities heading into the final 20 minutes but his header from close range was kept out by Lunin, who until that point had little to do throughout. 

Any hope of a late comeback for the hosts was quelled when Benzema finally got his goal, playing a neat one-two with Rodrygo and slotting home, with Asensio then delicately cushioning a volley over Edgar Badia to extend the advantage.