Espi’s Stoppage-Time Goal Earns Real Madrid 3-2 Win at Elche
Real Madrid escaped from the Martinez Valero with a 3-2 win over Elche after allowing a two-goal half-time advantage to disappear before Espi struck in stoppage time.
Arda Guler led Madrid’s attacking work in the opening half, scoring from a direct free-kick that came back off the post and went in via Elche goalkeeper Dituro. Kylian Mbappe then made it 2-0 before the interval, registering his seventh goal of the season after meeting a threatening Diomande delivery.
Quick facts
- Final score: Elche 2-3 Real Madrid.
- Guler opened the scoring with a deflected free-kick.
- Mbappe scored Madrid’s second and created the 91st-minute winner.
- Osorio and Fer Nino brought Elche level in the second half.
- Espi scored the decisive goal after coming off the bench alongside Endrick.
Madrid had opportunities to put the match beyond reach well before the break. Vinicius Junior was unable to convert three clear one-on-one chances against Dituro, while the visitors’ first-half control did not produce the decisive margin their performance appeared to warrant.
Elche found a route back once Madrid dropped deeper after the restart and surrendered command of midfield. Substitute Cepeda supplied the cross for Osorio to head in, cutting the deficit and changing the tone of the contest.
The equaliser followed amid further defensive uncertainty. Fer Nino sent a cross-shot beyond Thibaut Courtois to make it 2-2, exposing Madrid’s loss of energy and concentration after a commanding first 45 minutes.
Jose Mourinho waited until the match was level before increasing his attacking options, sending on Espi and Endrick late on. The change delivered in the 91st minute: Jude Bellingham advanced down the left, found Mbappe, and the forward chose a square pass for Espi to finish.
The three points keep Madrid moving, but the match again highlighted a recurring problem when protecting a lead. Their strong start and Guler’s influence were undermined by a passive second half that allowed Elche to turn an apparently comfortable away win into a late rescue job.
