Time for us to wave farewell. So Real Madrid's win means Barcelona are well behind in the La Liga title race, but we will be back on Tuesday to see if the Catalan giants can bounce back in the Champions League. That's when they jump on the private plane and fly north to England, where they face Manchester City in the last-16 tie. Do. Not. Miss. It. Adios!

Opta Jose: 5 - Cristiano has scored more headed goals in La Liga this season than any other player.

Italian Serie A

Before we bring this European jaunt to an end, let's do a quick detour over to Italy.

Today's late Serie A game saw on-loan Chelsea midfielder Mohamed Salah give Fiorentina an 85th minute lead over Torino, only for the visitors to level two minutes later when Giuseppe Vives pounced on a defensive slip-up.

That mean Fiorentina, who harbour European ambitions of their own again next season, drop to fifth after the weekend's matches.

Image source, Getty Images

So Carlo Ancelotti is toasting another win in his 100th competitive match as Real Madrid boss. That makes him the most successful Los Blancos boss in his first century, a 78% win rate surpassing the previous best set by Jose Mourinho. I'd imagine there is a rather grumpy Portuguese football manager in south-west London right now...

Sulaimon Adelekan: Quote me anywhere, this Real Madrid team will win the La Liga and retain the Champions League.

I think that goes under the 'Job Done' file. Real Madrid dominated from the first whistle and even though they were scruffy at times in the final third, fully deserved a routine win. They are now four points clear of arch-rivals Barcelona. Although there is the small matter of El Clasico next month....

Madrid substitute Jese barely breaks stride before referee Ignacio Iglesias toots his whistle for the final time this evening. But he won't care - his team earn a vital win in the Spanish title race.

These Elche fans are a sporting bunch - there is even a ripple of applause for Karim Benzema. The France striker jogs off to tap the hand of Jese, who will play the final few seconds.

I don't think Elche have touched the ball in the last 90 seconds or so. Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal tries to pick out Cristiano Ronaldo at the near post, but home keeper Tyton is alert to beat him to the ball.

Keep ball time for Real Madrid as they run down the clock. Three minutes of stoppage time for Elche to endure.

Standing ovation for Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco as he leaves the field. Not often you see that sort of reception from a home crowd. The Spain international, one of Madrid's most outstanding performers this season, is replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.

Madrid keeper Iker Casillas has been a virtual bystander for most of this match. So boredom would be one way to explain why he decides to take on the Elche attack in his own box. The veteran Spain keeper almost loses possession but recovers as Elche fail to threaten.

Asier Illaramendi nods at Real assistant coach Paul Clement. He understands what he has got to do. Which is presumably as simple as not letting Elche mount an unlikely comeback. He replaces recent signing Lucas Silva, who has been very effective in central midfield.

Elche have made all three substitutions, as Real look set to make their first. Big-money midfielder Asier Illarramendi, who can barely get a look in these days, peruses the Madrid tactical book on the touchline.

Still Madrid ping the ball about with ease, their black shirts gliding around the pitch like draughts on a polished checkerboard.

Elche aren't helping themselves mind you. Karim Benzema checks in the right channel before clipping up a cross that the home defence hook clear. But it goes only as far as Toni Kroos, who can't shoot as well as he passes. The ball flies harmlessly over the Elche goal.

Damage limitation now for Elche as we enter the final 15 minutes. The confidence is flowing their veins of the Madrid players, who are pinging the ball around neatly and with intent.

Madrid are threatening to run up a rugby score now. The away side win a free-kick right on the cusp of the Elche penalty area. A few black shirts stand over the ball, but one man pulls rank. Who? Who do you think? Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal skipper hammers a low shot which flashes past the past - the wrong side of the post as far as Real is concerned.