Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, Carlos Espi: Five things we learned from Elche 2-3 Real Madrid

Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, Carlos Espi: Five things we learned from Elche 2-3 Real Madrid Real Madrid may have made hard work of it, but they picked up another three points on Tuesday after defeating Elche 3-2 . Goals from Matias Dituro (OG), Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Espi got the job done for Jose Mourinho’s side, who have gone level with arch rivals Barcelona at the top of the La Liga standings. Here are five main takeaways from events at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero. Vinicius Junior can surely no longer be an undisputed starter… Things simply are not coming off for Vinicius right now. The match against Elche was another one where he tried hard, but his application was poor – and this has been the case for much of the 2026-27 season so far. He’s clearly feeling the pressure of the Real Madrid supporters being on his back, and Mourinho cannot afford for him to be carried by his teammates. Right now, it is hard to make a case for him continuing as an undisputed starter, especially with a number of his teammates being on better form than he is right now. …but Arda Guler should be One of those teammates is Guler, who deservedly won the MVP award against Elche . The 21-year-old was in top form at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, with the truth being that he’s been one of Real Madrid’s better players since the start of the season. He was used centrally against Elche, although he’s likely to return to the right side of attack given that Bellingham is an undisputed starter. He’s got competition there too, but he is surely the best-placed to make that position his own, given how he’s performed there against the likes of Real Sociedad and Real Betis in recent weeks. Yan Diomande makes his case once again Guler’s form is bad news for Diomande, although the big-money summer signing is staking his claim for a regular starting spot right now. His performance in the weekend win over Rayo Vallecano was impressive, but he was arguably even better against Elche, as he notched his first assist in Real Madrid colours for Mbappe’s goal. Diomande has contributed well to Real Madrid’s attack, but equally as impressive has been his willingness to help out in defence. Taking this all into account, it is not controversial to say that he deserves to start more than Vinicius at this stage, and it will be interesting to see what Mourinho does for Sunday’s Madrid derby. Carlos Espi is quickly becoming Mourinho’s Joselu When it became clear that Gonzalo Garcia would be leaving Real Madrid for Fulham, Mourinho pushed hard to sign a classic number nine profile – citing Joselu’s impact under Carlo Ancelotti in the 2023-24 season. He appears to have got his own version in Espi, who has already been much a difference-maker since joining in the summer from Levante. He scored the winner in the opening matchday victory at Espanyol, while he was unlucky not to save a point against Betis. His strike late on at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero means he’s already won four points for Real Madrid, and that could be so crucial when the points are tallied at the end of the 2026-27 season. Second half drop-off is becoming a major issue It is now three matches in a row where Real Madrid have gone into half time with a comfortable lead, before immediately ceasing control to their opponents. They got away with it against Inter Milan and Rayo, but it always cost them dearly at Elche, but for Espi’s late winner. Blowing a two-goal lead is something that Real Madrid rarely do, so it is no wonder that Mourinho is worried about his side’s ability to manage in-game situations. Work will need to be done on the training ground, which is why the international break – which starts after this weekend’s matches – comes at a good time for the Portuguese.