Buoyed by beating Manchester City 3-0 in the home leg of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) last-16 tie in midweek, Real certainly had the better of the first half, with Elche recording just one wayward shot on goal.
Aurelien Tchouameni tested his luck from range early on, skewing his effort wide, before Antonio Rudiger headed over.
The defender would do much better with his feet with his next attempt though, as he emphatically volleyed Los Blancos in front as the ball dropped invitingly for him following a free-kick.
After his exquisite hat-trick against City, Federico Valverde then produced a finish of equal quality to double Real’s lead before half-time, as he collected Fran García’s cross before beautifully curling into the top corner from the edge of the box.
It was a finish that illustrated the sheer gulf in class between the sides, and all but ensured that Real’s unbeaten H2H record of 48 years (W13, D3) – and unbeaten home league record against Elche (W21, D4) – would continue.
The hosts aimed to put the game beyond all doubt early in the second half, and Brahim Diaz almost did that as his strike flew inches over.
However, Elche were hardly threatening, and so Alvaro Arbeloa decided to take goalscorers Valverde and Rudiger off among other key players, with the crucial second leg against City next in mind.
Still, Rudiger’s centre-back partner Dean Huijsen stayed on the pitch and grabbed Real’s third, as he headed home 18-year-old Daniel Yanez’s cross – the latter making just his second senior appearance for the club.
Gonzalo Garcia almost added a fourth on the break in the latter stages, but Matias Dituro stuck his leg out well, while Elche managed to score a consolation goal at the other end as Manuel Angel unfortunately diverted a cutback off the post and into his own net.
That was not the end of the goals though, and Arda Guler capitalised when Dituro gifted possession away, lobbing the goalkeeper from a considerable distance to complete a very entertaining week at the Bernabeu.
With this victory, Los Blancos avoided dropping points in successive home league matches since October 2021. Once again, it’s over to Barcelona, who host Sevilla tomorrow. Meanwhile, Elche still linger dangerously above the relegation zone after an 11th straight La Liga game without victory (D4, L7).
Flashscore Man of the Match: Arda Guler (Real Madrid)