Published: January 20, 2022 9:00 pm
Last Updated: January 20, 2022 9:04 pm
Supporters of Real Madrid have flooded to social media this evening, to single a trio of the club’s stars out for special praise.
Carlo Ancelotti’s troops were of course back in action a short time ago.
After clinching the Spanish Super Cup at the weekend owing to a triumph over Athletic Club, Los Blancos turned their attentions back towards matters in the Copa del Rey, in a Last-16 meeting with Elche.
Few could have predicted, however, just how badly Real would go on to struggle up against the La Liga relegation battlers.
After both sides failed in their efforts to find the net over the course of the opening 90 minutes, it was Elche who looked primed to book their spot in the Copa quarter-finals deep into extra-time, when Marcelo’s dismissal was followed by an opener on the part of Gonzalo Verdu:
Marcelo is sent off and from the resulting free kick Elche open the scoring in extra time! 😱
Gonzalo Verdú puts Real Madrid on the brink of a Copa del Rey exit 👀 pic.twitter.com/motmDQKK1U
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) January 20, 2022
The quality boasted by the visitors, though, ultimately proved too much.
First, with 108 minutes on the clock, Isco levelled things up after being introduced off the bench, courtesy of an assist from fellow substitute Dani Ceballos.
And the impact of Real’s men in reserve did not end there, as Eden Hazard, with just five minutes remaining in a thrilling affair at the Estadio Martínez Valero, rounded Elche’s no.1 before slotting home in confident fashion to keep Ancelotti and co’s Copa hopes alive:
Eden Hazard to the rescue for Real Madrid as they now lead 2-1! 🔥
What a response from Ancelotti’s side to going down to 10-men and falling behind in extra time 👏 pic.twitter.com/L7Iz4mMLKJ
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) January 20, 2022
‘Unlikely heroes’
In turn, on the back of the action coming to a close on Thursday evening, it should come as little surprise to hear of a trio of Real’s stars being singled out for special praise post-match.
The players in question? Eden Hazard, Dani Ceballos and Isco.
So often the subjects of criticism on the part of the Blancos faithful, the substitutes saved their side’s blushes in a major way against Elche, with just some of the highlights from across social media showcased below:
Hazard, Ceballos, Isco 💪💪🤍
They dont play much but they really contribute today
— A Tribe Called Quest (@azzam_al_hanif) January 20, 2022
Sub wise, Isco, hazard, ceballos actually looked like they could be useful as subs, given they give that level of performance.
— M. (@MikhaeIII) January 20, 2022
Hazard
Isco
Ceballos
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 https://t.co/AnDmAHodpF— Kraken ⚓ (@Makhou_n) January 20, 2022
Hazardisco, Hazardisco, Hazardisco
— Տարագճեան (@ChrisDarakjian) January 20, 2022
How will I explain to my kids that;
We played extra time with one man down and trailing by one goal,,,,,
Ceballos assisted Isco to equalize and EDEN HAZARD completed the fucking comeback, all from the bench.
Omg 🥺😭😭😭🤍🤍🤍🤍
— LIL BRIDGE💢 (@iloved3nzel) January 20, 2022
Ceballos Appreciation post 😭
Sorry Hazard, for the slander 😭 pic.twitter.com/UFmTKPJX0P— AgentBenzema_🇬🇭 (@ClinicalMbappe_) January 20, 2022
Before the Marcelo red at some point I was thinking to myself that maybe Real getting a red card will make Elche push forward but that came in a horrible situation. You can see the desire to win the game. Kudos to Ceballos, Isco, Hazard who played really well. #ElcheRealMadrid
— Sushant (@TheLosVikingos) January 20, 2022
Today we had unlikely heroes that we desperately needed in Isco, Hazard & Ceballos. Fresh bit of air the club needs right now. Hope they build upon this and Ancelotti trust them more cause they will be needed just like today
— Raghav (@imraghav__) January 20, 2022
Ceballos, Isco e Hazard https://t.co/iz94yG5po9
— melo • MEMÓRIAS 🖼️ (@samuelmelo_25) January 20, 2022
Ceballos,Hazard,Isco pic.twitter.com/WFvEu2EeQv
— royaano_13🐼 (@royaanoRMCF) January 20, 2022
The subs made it all
Ceballos assist
Isco goal hazard goal— King Lord Vinijr (@paraMCF) January 20, 2022
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