Real Madrid drew 2-2 with Elche, Bellingham made a crucial save in the 87th minute.
Elche took the lead twice at Martinez Valero, with Bellingham equalizing in the 87th minute from an assist by Mbappe. Courtois made several consecutive saves; Alonso rested Vinicius Jr, Camavinga, and Valverde. Real still lead thanks to goal difference.
Real Madrid left the Martinez Valero stadium with only one point after a 2-2 draw against Elche, although they still maintained their lead in La Liga thanks to a superior goal difference. Bellingham made a crucial 87th-minute save from a Mbappe assist, concluding a 90-minute match that exposed problems in organization and control for the team led by coach Xabi Alonso.
The crucial moment
In the 84th minute, Alvaro Rodríguez put Elche ahead 2-1 with a decisive finish. Three minutes later, in the 87th minute, Jude Bellingham appeared at the right moment in a scramble to neatly finish after a pass from Kylian Mbappe, leveling the score at 2-2. The play was reviewed by VAR due to goalkeeper Inaki Pena being injured after the collision, but the goal was still awarded.
Main developments
Elche – the La Liga newcomers – started confidently, organizing their game with discipline and controlling space well. In the first half, the home team created more clear-cut chances, forcing Thibaut Courtois to make several saves to prevent Real from conceding an early goal.
Coach Xabi Alonso surprisingly left Vinicius Jr, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde on the bench, amidst Real Madrid's disappointing run of matches against Liverpool and Rayo Vallecano. On the pitch, Dani Ceballos failed to perform his organizational role effectively, and the disjointed pressing system left gaps between the lines evident whenever they lost possession.
Elche capitalized on their advantage when Febas opened the scoring after a well-executed combination. Real were forced to bring on reinforcements from the bench, but the situation didn't improve immediately. The visitors only equalized 1-1 in the 78th minute thanks to Huijsen's goal from a set piece, before the drama intensified in the final minutes with two consecutive goals from both sides.
Tactical angles: space and dependence.
The most noticeable weakness in Real Madrid's performance was the lack of cohesion in their pressing and the large gaps between the midfield and defense. When the organization wasn't running smoothly, Real were often forced to react slowly to Elche's transitions. As a result, their defense was vulnerable when out of possession, and the midfield couldn't control the tempo as desired.
In attack, Mbappe remained a standout performer with his speed and penetrating ability, directly assisting the equalizer that made it 2-2. However, the reliance on individual moments from Mbappe, Courtois, and Bellingham showed that the overall attacking and defensive structure needed strengthening. Ceballos's inability to effectively link up play further exposed the limitations in controlling the game.
The numbers speak for themselves.
- Score: Elche 2-2 Real Madrid.
- Real Madrid's run of three consecutive matches without a win in all competitions.
- Ranking: Real Madrid still leads La Liga thanks to a better goal difference.
- Key moments: Huijsen equalized 1-1 in the 78th minute; Alvaro Rodríguez put them ahead 2-1 in the 84th minute; Bellingham leveled the score at 2-2 in the 87th minute with an assist from Mbappe.
Impact and warnings
This draw reaffirmed Real Madrid's core problems: ineffective pressing, excessive gaps between the lines, and over-reliance on star players. While direct rivals like Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are showing improvement, coach Xabi Alonso needs to quickly find a stable formula to restore control and protect their advantage at the top of the table.
Elche deserves praise for their discipline and resilience – a message that this newcomer is not easily intimidated. For Real Madrid, one point away from home is enough to maintain their top spot, but the way they earned it is what raises a warning sign.
