Real Madrid have failed to find a breakthrough in a goalless first half against a stubborn Elche side.

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Carlo Ancelotti's side started brightly to push Elche on the back foot, with Gareth Bale seeing a goal ruled out for offside before Cristiano Ronaldo rattled the post with a curled effort.

Elche were fortunate not to concede a penalty a few minutes later when Damian Suarez appeared to pull back Karim Benzema after the Frenchman had battled impressively to find space in the box.

Real continued to cause problems for the home defence, and the impressive Bale created a promising chance with a low cross into the box for Ronaldo, who was unable to find the target at the back post.

Ronaldo's frustration continued when he climbed highest to head a Toni Kroos free kick a few inches wide of the target, and there was more disappointment when an acrobatic finish from Benzema was incorrectly chalked off for offside.