Real Madrid demolish Elche via Gulers stunning 70 yard lob Atletico secure narrow win
Arda Guler netted a remarkable effort from roughly 70 yards and Fede Valverde rounded off a superb week with yet another classy finish as Real Madrid hammered Elche 4 1 in Saturdays La Liga clash.
The second placed outfit reduced the distance to leaders Barcelona to just one point prior to the Catalans facing Sevilla on Sunday.
Third placed Atletico Madrid edged a 1 0 victory against Getafe after the opponents played with 10 men following Abdel Abqars dismissal for making contact with Alexander Sorloths private area.
Valverde the Uruguayan midfielder who notched a brilliant hat trick versus Manchester City in the Champions League during the week curled a shot into the upper corner before the interval after Antonio Rudiger had powered the hosts in front.
Dean Huijsen nodded in the third for Alvaro Arbeloas team which travels to Man City on Tuesday with hopes of advancing to the Champions League last eight.
Yet the evenings standout moment came from Turkish creator Guler towards the end when he noticed Elche custodian Matias Dituro positioned far from goal and chipped it in from close to the halfway line.
"He struck the crossbar from that spot in a previous match and this time he nailed it what a strike" remarked Madrid attacker Brahim Diaz on Real Madrid TV.
"Everyone was left stunned its the kind of goal that justifies the price of entry" commented Arbeloa.
Arbeloa rested numerous starters post halftime including Vinicius Junior and Valverde substituting in plenty of academy prospects to preserve energy levels.
Real Madrid continue to miss several key players due to injury such as Jude Bellingham although French forward Kylian Mbappe might be back from his knee issue next week.
"Theres plenty more we can achieve the dedication from the squad is outstanding" stated a pleased Arbeloa to the press following the solid performance.
Elche sitting 17th suffered a 11th straight league outing without success and risk ending the weekend in the drop zone.
Riding high from their City triumph Madrid overcame initial pushback from Elche before methodically breaking them down.
Following Dituros stop on Valverdes set piece Elche failed to deal with the loose ball properly allowing German defender Rudiger to smash it home in the 39th minute.
Valverde made it two just before the break spotting space on the boxes fringe and placing the ball precisely into the top corner marking his fifth strike across his previous three outings.
With Madrid in total control Arbeloa a past youth coach at the club introduced various young talents including Daniel Yanez.
The 18 year old forward provided an excellent delivery for the third goal which Huijsen headed past the keeper.
"Yanez and Diego Aguado were among the first lads I worked with back when they were 13 or 14 getting to debut them at the Bernabeu is a personal highlight" Arbeloa shared.
Late in the game one of Madrids replacements Manuel Angel unfortunately scored an own goal while attempting to block a pass with five minutes remaining.
That said Guler quickly re established the three goal lead firing from deep in his own half with the ball soaring over Dituro and dropping into the net.
Abqars dismissal
Nahuel Molinas powerful long range effort aided Atletico in closing the gap to the leading pair but the odd second half episode with Getafe back Abqar dominated discussions.
The Moroccan defender who claimed no intent to grab the Atletico forwards groin seemed to squeeze the Norwegian prompting him to shove Abqar down in frustration.
"Grabbing the player there was never my plan" Abqar who received a red card post VAR check explained to Movistar.
"Such contact happens constantly in matches with all the bumps and jostles but I would never aim for that spot honest."
Abqar maintained he intended to contact Sorloths midsection.
Simeone the Atletico manager shuffled his starting eleven before Wednesdays Champions League away day at Tottenham yet still grabbed a sixth success in seven games spanning competitions.
The team climbed two clear of Villarreal who shared points with Alaves the day before.
Molinass exquisite hit blasted into the top corner from beyond 25 yards just eight minutes in proved decisive as Atletico withstood a late barrage from Getafe.
In other results Real Oviedo claimed a scarce victory 1 0 over Valencia yet remain rooted at the foot of the standings while Girona routed Athletic Bilbao 3 0.