Real Madrid edged out Elche with a dramatic 3-2 victory, thanks to a stoppage-time goal from substitute Carlos Espi on Tuesday. The win allowed Madrid to draw level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga standings, intensifying the competition at the summit of Spanish football.
The match appeared to be firmly in Madrid’s control after they established a two-goal lead in the first half. Arda Guler’s free-kick led to an own goal by Elche’s goalkeeper Matias Dituro, and Kylian Mbappe doubled the advantage soon after with a strike from Yan Diomande’s cross. However, Elche mounted a commendable comeback in the second half, with Abiel Osorio and Nino scoring to level the match by the 83rd minute.
In an effort to regain the lead, Madrid manager Jose Mourinho introduced Carlos Espi and Endrick from the bench. The decision paid off when Mbappe’s cross found Espi at the back post in the 91st minute, securing a crucial win for the visitors. This goal marks Espi’s second decisive contribution this season, following his late winner against Espanyol in the opening match.
With this victory, Real Madrid has now secured five wins from six league matches, positioning themselves alongside defending champions Barcelona, who are set to play against Racing Santander. The tight race at the top promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats as the season progresses.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Valencia celebrated their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Alaves, while Rayo Vallecano emerged victorious against Espanyol with a 2-1 scoreline. These results add further intrigue to the early stages of the league campaign.