Real Madrid's Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring a goal against Elche during their Spanish first division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid September 23, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

PENALTY SCARE

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti made several changes for the fixture with 29-year-old Ronaldo the oldest player in a youthful-looking starting lineup.

Isco and Asier Illarramendi, who looked sharp when they came on against Deportivo, were rewarded by starts while Ronaldo and Bale were given more central roles in attack with Karim Benzema rested.

Ronaldo was unforgiving as he buried his first spot-kick of the evening into the top corner to put Real ahead and the home side then began to play the ball around with more confidence.

Elche concentrated on containing Real after the break but Ronaldo still added two more and Toni Kroos was inches away from scoring as well when his shot from inside the area came back off the crossbar.

Celta Vigo survived a late penalty scare in a 2-1 win over local rivals Deportivo La Coruna when Sergio Alvarez saved from midfielder Haris Medunjanin two minutes from time.

Joaquin Larrivey headed Celta in front midway through the second half after Isaac Cuenca had cancelled out Nolito's early strike but Depor had the chance to equalize when Gustavo Cabral handled in the area.

Medunjanin's spot-kick was heading for the corner but Alvarez got down to beat it away.

"It was a great moment for me but the most important thing was the win," Alvarez told reporters. "It was a tough game as we expected and a good performance from us."