MADRID: Real Madrid gave hope to their title rivals on Sunday by drawing 2-2 at home to Elche when Karim Benzema missed a penalty and then was injured at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It could be even worse for Madrid, which two minutes with 11 minutes have not managed to save a thank you to the Penalty of Modric Luka and the 92nd minute header from Eder Militao.
Lucas Boye and PE Milla had put Elche in seeing a surprise victory.
But two points dropped against the team that struggled to survive this season will come as a welcome bonus for Sevilla, which will be expected to be punished for their own draw at Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Benzema injury may be the greatest concern.
The Frenchmen gripped his left hamstring when he walked down the tunnel in the second round.
Madrid will hope it is not serious, with the first leg of their Champions against Paris Saint-Germain for only three more weeks.
It finished a sad afternoon to Benzema, who had missed his first sentence as a Real Madrid player after scoring all the 16 previous 16.
Sevilla also came from two to claim a 2-2 draw on Saturday before Atletico Madrid went one better, recovered from the deficit Two goals to beat Valencia 3-2 on weekends comebacks.
This means the gap between Sevilla in the second and Real Madrid returned to four points and both parties may end the weekend with a sense of opportunities missed.
Eden Hazard was given his own opportunity after Carlo Ancelotti handed it that was rare and while Belgium of course one of the more creative Madrid players, he left in the 79th minute, just before his team’s revival began.
Before kick-off, all Madrid players came out wearing a number 11 shirt in tribute to Paco Gento, who died 88 on Tuesday.
Display is 12 Gento League trophies and six European glasses.
Real Madrid did it enough to create a handful of opportunities in the first half but overall they were lethargic, they were passing and the sharpness of the recent performances was lacking.
However, it seems like enough when Vinicius Junior horsed by Helibelton Palacios in the 33rd minute and the referee pointed to the place.
Benzema is usually reliable, lit.
Elche Miss Galvanized, who has defended firmly and then gave themselves something to be maintained.
Yohan Mojica sent the ball to the left to the left to run, and he crossed into the area where Boye was free to nod.
Madrid had a whole half to make up for mistakes but found it difficult to click on the teeth and were not assisted by Benzema departing.
The danger of thinking he had a penalty after falling under the challenge of Diego Gonzalez but the replay showed the contact was light and the decision was reversed.
The chance grows less, with a rushed shot or from a distance.
Elche wasn’t too problematic and in the 76th minute they made him two, with a very good Boye twisted from David Alaba and shifted directly to Milla, who drove to the far corner.
Madrid looked at their feet but in the 82nd minute they were handed over a lifetime, when alaba header that flicked up the Milla in hand and, in the absence of Benzema, Modric perforated in a penalty.
They have eight minutes to find the equalizer.
Vinicius ran clear but Rodrygo shot wide and then in the 92nd minute, came, when Vinicius took overhit graduating from the line and crossing for Militano, who left.
With two minutes left, Madrid want a winner.
Frustrated they are palpated in the final whistle.