Atletico Madrid are just three more wins from a first La Liga titles since 1996 after surviving a big scare to claim a flattering victory over Elche and extend their lead at the top of the table to six points.
Late goals from Miranda and Diego Costa, from the penalty spot, came after an earlier miss by David Villa from 12 yards, which had sparked fears that Diego Simeone’s men might falter, but they battled their way through.
With four games remaining, Los Rojiblancos need to win just three of them – assuming Real Madrid stay unbeaten – to celebrate an unlikely title triumph.
Atletico made a bright start and Costa soon fired into the sidenetting after a slick passing move involving Tiago and Adrian.
But Elche then came into the game and went on to enjoy the better of the first half, regularly threatening to open up the home team’s usually watertight defence.
Atletico keeper Thibaut Courtois made a good save to tip aside a low 25-yard strike from Javi Marquez, and then did even better to protect his goal with a flying stop to keep out Cristian Sapunaru’s header from the resulting corner.
Another chance came the home team’s way when left back Filipe Luis ventured forward to attack a right wing cross but badly sliced his shot wide.
Elche continued to threaten and had a fine chance when Carles Gil raced into the box, but the youngster leant back as he struck the ball and fired well over the bar.
After their lacklustre opening period, Atletico started the second half in a much more determined fashion and soon had a golden opportunity to go ahead after Sapunaru’s challenge on Raul Garcia resulted in a penalty, but Villa’s poorly struck effort was saved by Manu Herrera.
Villa then had a goal disallowed for offside after a flick-on by Luis as the hosts started to generate sustained pressure for the first time in the game.
Garcia headed over the top from a set piece and Costa mishit a difficult chance into the arms of Herrera after barging his way into the area, but Atletico’s nerves started to jangle as the final 20 minutes arrived with the game still goalless.
The breakthrough finally arrived from a familiar route as Jose Sosa delivered a deep corner and Miranda rose to power a perfectly aimed header into the far corner.
Courtois saved a header from Carlos Sanchez as Elche fought hard, but Costa earned and converted a stoppage time penalty, which also saw Sapunaru sent off, to secure the points.
