Real Madrid survive Elche fightback as Carlos Espí strikes in stoppage time

Real Madrid surrendered a two-goal advantage but still found a way to leave the Martínez Valero with all three points. Carlos Espí scored in the 91st minute to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory, while Mbappé finished the night with a goal and an assist.

GÜLER CREATES THE BREAKTHROUGH

Madrid opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Arda Güler struck the post with a direct free kick before the ball rebounded off Elche goalkeeper Matías Dituro and crossed the line. The goal was officially recorded as an own goal.

The visitors doubled their advantage eight minutes later. Yan Diomande delivered from the flank and Mbappé finished into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0.

Real controlled most of the opening half and looked capable of putting the contest beyond Elche. The two-goal advantage appeared comfortable, but the match changed significantly after the interval.

ELCHE ERASE THE LEAD

Elche responded through their substitutes and began to apply sustained pressure. Lucas Cepeda set up Abiel Osorio, whose close-range header reduced the deficit in the 71st minute.

Madrid struggled to recover their first-half control. With seven minutes of normal time remaining, Josan supplied Fer Niño and the forward made it 2-2.

A match that had appeared firmly in Madrid’s hands was suddenly level. Elche had punished the visitors for failing to turn their earlier superiority into a decisive advantage.

ESPI DELIVERS THE FINAL WORD

José Mourinho looked to his bench as Madrid pushed for a winner. Endrick and Carlos Espí were introduced late, and it was Espí who once again made an immediate impact.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Mbappé provided the assist and the young Spanish striker scored the decisive fifth goal of the evening.

Madrid’s second-half performance provided several warnings, but their response after conceding the equaliser demonstrated character. They did not settle for a point and were rewarded for continuing to attack until the end.

The victory was far more complicated than the first half suggested it would be. Nevertheless, Real Madrid returned home with three valuable points and another decisive contribution from their bench.

ELCHE 2-3 REAL MADRID

Goals: Matías Dituro 25’ (own goal), Mbappé 33’, Abiel Osorio 71’, Fer Niño 83’, Carlos Espí 90+1’.