Carlos Espi scores in the 91st minute as Real Madrid survive a dramatic Elche comeback to move level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Real Madrid secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Elche on Tuesday after substitute Carlos Espi scored in the 91st minute to preserve all three points and move the Spanish giants level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Espi, who joined Real Madrid from Levante during the summer, struck at the back post after Real had surrendered a two-goal advantage. The forward has yet to start a match for the club, but his two goals this season have both proved decisive.
Real now have five wins from six league matches and sit level on points with defending champions Barcelona, who face Racing Santander on Wednesday.
Kylian Mbappe also found the net for Real, while manager Jose Mourinho praised Espi’s impact after bringing him off the bench.
“Espi comes on with great motivation,” Mourinho said, while noting the competition for places alongside Mbappe. He added that his late substitutions reflected Real’s determination to secure victory rather than settle for a draw.
Mourinho was frustrated that his side failed to close out the match after taking a 2-0 lead. Elche, who remain at the bottom of La Liga, took advantage of Real’s missed opportunities and fought their way back into the contest.
Mourinho rested Jude Bellingham for the first time this season, with Arda Guler replacing him in the starting lineup.
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Both teams also wore shirts supporting residents of Ceuta following the recent migration crisis in the Spanish territory in North Africa.
Vinicius Junior endured another difficult night in front of goal. He missed early opportunities after being set up by Guler and later fired another effort wide before being substituted.
Real took the lead midway through the first half when Guler’s free-kick curled around the wall and struck the post before deflecting off Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro and crossing the line as an own goal.
Eight minutes later, Yan Diomande created Real’s second goal with his first assist for the club. The Ivorian winger delivered a cross that Mbappe converted past Dituro for his eighth goal of the season across all competitions.
Mbappe briefly appeared to be hurt after colliding with the goalkeeper but recovered and continued playing.
Elche Fight Back
Elche pulled a goal back after Abiel Osorio headed Lucas Cepeda’s cross beyond Thibaut Courtois.
The hosts then completed their comeback in the 83rd minute when Nino produced a low finish to make it 2-2 and put pressure on the visitors.
With the match heading towards a draw, Mourinho sent on Espi and Endrick in search of a winner.
The decision paid off.
Mbappe found Espi at the back post in the 91st minute, and the substitute calmly finished to give Real Madrid a 3-2 victory.
Earlier on Tuesday, Valencia claimed their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves, while Rayo Vallecano defeated Espanyol 2-1. Luis Rioja scored Valencia’s decisive goal 12 minutes from time, days after the club dismissed coach Carlos Corberan.
