Elche 2–3 Real Madrid: Carlos Espí Scores Stoppage-Time Winner in Dramatic LaLiga Thriller

 Real Madrid produced a dramatic late comeback of their own at the Martínez Valero on Tuesday, defeating Elche 3–2 after surrendering a two-goal lead in the second half. Carlos Espí delivered the decisive moment in stoppage time, finishing a move involving Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé. �

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Real Madrid Take Control Early

Real Madrid started the match strongly and created several opportunities during the opening stages. Arda Güler was particularly influential, and his dangerous free kick in the 25th minute ultimately resulted in the opening goal after the ball struck the post and goalkeeper Matías Dituro was unable to keep it out.

Madrid then doubled their advantage eight minutes later. Yan Diomande advanced down the right and delivered a low cross into the penalty area, allowing Kylian Mbappé to finish from close range and make it 2–0. �

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The visitors appeared to be in control heading into halftime, while Elche faced the difficult task of finding a way back into the contest.

Elche Fight Back After the Break

The momentum changed significantly in the second half.

Elche increased the pressure and began finding more space around the Madrid defense. Their persistence was rewarded in the 71st minute when Abiel Osorio scored with a header to reduce the deficit to 2–1.

The home side continued pushing forward, and their pressure eventually produced an equalizer. Fernando Niño scored in the 83rd minute, bringing Elche level at 2–2 and setting up a tense finish. �

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Madrid had allowed a two-goal advantage to disappear, but the visitors continued searching for a winning goal.

Carlos Espí Delivers in Stoppage Time

With the match heading toward a draw, Real Madrid found the breakthrough deep into added time.

Jude Bellingham produced an important run before releasing Mbappé into the attacking area. The French forward then supplied the final pass across the box, where substitute Carlos Espí arrived to finish and restore Madrid's lead at 3–2. �

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The goal came in the 91st minute and secured all three points for José Mourinho's side.

For Espí, the goal was another important late contribution after he had already scored a decisive late goal earlier in the season. �

The Daily Star

Mbappé Continues to Make an Impact

Mbappé once again played an important role for Real Madrid.

After scoring Madrid's second goal, he remained involved in the decisive attacking sequence at the end of the match. His assist for Espí completed an eventful night in which Madrid twice appeared to be in control before Elche fought their way back.

The victory also moved Real Madrid onto 15 points, level with Barcelona at the top of the LaLiga table at the time of the result, although Barcelona had a game in hand. Elche remained on two points after six matches. �

Reuters

A Dramatic Night at the Martínez Valero

The match provided a complete rollercoaster for both sets of supporters. Real Madrid dominated much of the first half, Elche responded strongly after the interval, and the final decisive moment arrived only seconds before the final whistle.

Final score: Elche 2–3 Real Madrid

Goals:

25' — Matías Dituro own goal — Real Madrid

33' — Kylian Mbappé — Real Madrid

71' — Abiel Osorio — Elche

83' — Fernando Niño — Elche

90+1' — Carlos Espí — Real Madrid �

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The result keeps Real Madrid firmly involved at the top end of the LaLiga standings, while Elche will be left to reflect on a match in which they fought back from 0–2 down but ultimately conceded a late winner.