Debatable penalty rescues Real Madrid

A dubious injury time Cristiano Ronaldo penalty was enough to move Real Madrid back to within two points of league leaders Barcelona with a 2-1 win away to Elche on Wednesday night.

A dubious injury time Cristiano Ronaldo penalty was enough to move Real Madrid back to within two points of league leaders Barcelona with a 2-1 win away to Elche on Wednesday night.

However, the hosts were left furious with referee Cesar Muniz Fernandez as after failing to show Sergio Ramos a second yellow card for a clear bodycheck on Coro in the first-half, he pointed to the spot in the fourth minute of added time when Pepe fell to the ground under pressure from Carlos Sanchez.

Ronaldo had put the visitors ahead from a free-kick early in the second-half, but Richmond Boakye thought he had rescued a point when he headed home in the 91st minute before the late drama. And Real boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted that he was far from satisfied with a lacklustre display from his side.

"I am not happy, we need to play differently," he told a press conference. "We didn't control the game in the second-half after Ronaldo's goal and it is obvious that I am not happy with the game. The result doesn't suffice, we need to play better. They played well."

After a lot of drama and a number of Elche players been booked, Ronaldo kept his cool and drilled the ball low into the corner to earn his side a precious three points.

Ancelotti though is well aware that Real will need to up their game substantially if they are to emerge victorious from the Madrid derby on Saturday.