Elche 2-3 Real Madrid: Match review | La Liga

Elche 2-3 Real Madrid: Match review | La Liga Real Madrid have made it three wins in a row across all competitions, as they defeated Elche very late in their La Liga clash at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero. Jose Mourinho made the bold choice to drop Jude Bellingham to the bench, with the Englishman given a small rest ahead of his weekend’s Madrid derby. Real Madrid suffered in his absence as they started poorly, but it was his replacement that opened the scoring as Arda Guler’s free-kick went in via the post and the elbow of Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro. Guler had been Real Madrid’s best player up until that point, so it was very much deserved that he was the one to break the deadlock. And it would get even better for the visitors, who doubled their lead on 33 minutes. Yan Diomande’s cross from the right was bravely met by Kylian Mbappe, who nipped in to tap into the back of the net before being wiped out by Dituro – fortunately, he was fine to continue, although he did need treatment for a couple of minutes. Real Madrid cease control in second half before late winner Real Madrid held their two-goal lead until half time, and Mourinho would have been pleased with how they had managed the game up until that point. However, they allowed Elche to take control in the second period, as they did in their previous two matches against Inter Milan and Rayo Vallecano – and once again, they conceded at an inopportune time, with Abiel Osorio heading in from Lucas Cepada’s deft cross. And unlike those matches against Inter and Rayo, Real Madrid were brought back to level terms. Marc Cucurella’s poor pass gifted the ball back to Elche, and after being played in by Josan, Fer Nino fired across Thibaut Courtois and into the far corner, much to the annoyance of Mourinho and his coaching staff. Mourinho brought on Endrick and Carlos Espi as Real Madrid tried to save their blushes with a late winner, and it was the latter that did it again. Jude Bellingham did brilliantly to slip Mbappe in behind, and he cut the ball back to Espi, who could not miss from a few yards out. The significant drop-off in the second half will be a major concern for Real Madrid and Mourinho, but ultimately, they got the three points, and they are now joint-top of La Liga alongside arch rivals Barcelona.