In an intense La Liga clash, Real Madrid’s persistence paid off as they secured a last-gasp victory against Elche, finishing the match at 3-2. This win catapults them alongside Barcelona at the top of the league standings, a testament to their strong start to the season with five victories in six matches.
Madrid initially looked dominant, establishing a two-goal lead in the first half. Arda Guler played a crucial role, opening the scoring with an impressive free-kick that ricocheted off the post and was inadvertently turned in by Elche’s goalkeeper, Matias Dituro. The lead was soon doubled by Kylian Mbappe, who capitalized on a precise cross from Yan Diomande to extend Madrid’s advantage.
However, Elche mounted a spirited comeback after the break. Abiel Osorio narrowed the deficit with a well-timed header from Lucas Cepeda’s cross, and Nino’s 83rd-minute equalizer brought the match level, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
With the game hanging in the balance, Real Madrid’s manager, Jose Mourinho, made strategic substitutions, introducing Carlos Espi and Endrick to energize the attack. The decisive moment came in stoppage time when Mbappe’s delivery found Espi at the back post. The young substitute, who joined Madrid from Levante over the summer, coolly slotted in the winner, marking his second crucial goal of the season.
This victory keeps Madrid neck-and-neck with Barcelona, who are set to face Racing Santander next. Meanwhile, in other La Liga action, Valencia secured their first win of the season with a 1-0 result against Alaves, and Rayo Vallecano edged out Espanyol 2-1, adding further excitement to the league’s early stages.