A week after winning the Supercopa, Rio world champion Toni Kroos narrowly avoided embarrassment with Real Madrid in La Liga.
The Spanish football record champions saved a 2-2 (0-1) defeat against FC Elche in injury time on Sunday. After 22 matchdays, the league leaders still have a four-point lead over Sevilla.
Three days after knocking out the last 16 of the Spanish Cup, FC Barcelona jumped to fifth place thanks to Frenkie de Jong. The Dutch international shot the Catalans late to a 1-0 (0-0) win at relegation candidates Deportivo Alaves (87th). National goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen kept his box clean.
With Kroos in the starting XI, the Royals fell behind through Lucas Boye just before the break (42nd). Pere Milla (76th) raised for the outsider when the ex-German international had already been substituted.
Vice world champion Luka Modric reduced the penalty with a hand penalty (82′), Eder Militao equalized very late (90’+2′). Last Sunday, Kroos won his 15th title with Real – 2-0 in the Supercopa final in Saudi Arabia against Athletic Bilbao.