Asier Illarramendi's first-half strike has given Real Madrid a 1-0 half-time lead over Elche in La Liga this afternoon.

Madrid threatened after only four minutes as Manu Herrera got down well to deny Karim Benzema at the bottom corner of the Elche goal.

© Getty Images

The hosts almost found the lead when Angel di Maria whipped in a corner, which somehow evaded Herrera and smashed onto the crossbar, leaving the defence to clear their lines.

In an opening period dominated by Madrid, the title-chasers' best chance came in the 30th minute when Di Maria found Jese, but the young striker could only turn his effort wide of the post.

The miss wasn't to prove too costly, though, as Illarramendi grabbed his first league goal of the season with a drilled effort from the edge of the box, leaving Madrid to go into half time 1-0 up.