Real Madrid narrowly avoided a historic defeat against Elche, achieving a last-minute equalizer during the match. They drew 2-2 with Elche on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in the 23rd round of La Liga. Madrid came close to scoring when they were awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute, which Karim Benzema took but missed by sending it far off target. This marked the first time Benzema missed a penalty for Real Madrid since joining the club from Lyon in the summer of 2009, following 16 successful attempts.
Nine minutes after Benzema's miss, Lucas Boyé put the visiting team ahead in the 42nd minute by heading a cross into the net. The situation worsened, as Karim Benzema left the match injured in the 58th minute, with Serbian forward Luka Jovic coming on as a substitute. In the 76th minute, Pere Milla scored the second goal, making it seem like Real Madrid was set to lose. However, the royal team had other plans, as Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić reduced the deficit with a second penalty awarded to Real Madrid in the 82nd minute.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Brazilian defender Éder Militão scored the equalizer, converting a cross from compatriot Vinícius Júnior into the net. The draw brought Real Madrid's points total to 50, keeping them at the top of the La Liga standings, four points ahead of second-placed Sevilla, who have played one game less.
On the other hand, Barcelona moved closer to the top four in the La Liga standings after a late victory over Deportivo Alavés. Barcelona won 1-0 against Deportivo Alavés on Sunday at Mendizorrotza Stadium in the 22nd round of La Liga. The only goal for Barcelona came from their midfielder Frenkie de Jong in the 87th minute.
The victory increased Barcelona's points to 35, placing them fifth in the La Liga standings, just one point behind fourth-placed Atlético Madrid.
### La Liga Standings for the 2021-2022 Season
1. Real Madrid - 50 points
2. Sevilla - 46 points
3. Real Betis - 40 points
4. Atlético Madrid - 36 points
5. Barcelona - 35 points
6. Real Sociedad - 33 points
7. Villarreal - 32 points
