“Elche are a team that gives you very little space and is very strong and it was hard to find a gap. When we went behind we had to be even more patient. This turnaround is very positive for our chances in the league but also in the Champions League.”
Real welcomed back captain Sergio Ramos for the first time since undergoing knee surgery two months ago but Zidane opted to start without Modric and Kroos.
Real controlled the first half without causing Elche too many problems in the box but looked on course for a fourth home defeat in the league this season when Calvo’s thumping header put the struggling visitors in front.
Real felt they should have had a penalty earlier in the second half for a foul on Ramos which was given against the defender.
Elche meanwhile could have been awarded a spot-kick moments before they scored for a foul on Carrillo, who was ruled offside but replays showed he was in fact onside, although the play was not reviewed by officials.
Once Benzema had pulled Real level, they went all out to find a winner.
Casemiro spurned two chances in quick succession while defender Nacho was ideally placed to score from inside the box but blasted his shot at Elche keeper Edgar Badia.
Eden Hazard came off the bench to return for the first time in six months but Real’s record signing had little impact.
Luckily for Zidane’s side, they could rely on the talismanic Benzema, who won the game with his 15th league goal of the season.
“We turned things around with courage,” said match-winner Benzema.
“The second goal was a beautiful strike and won us the three points so I couldn’t be happier.”