Real Madrid edged out Elche 3-2 on Tuesday, thanks to a last-minute goal by substitute Carlos Espi, moving level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. The dramatic win came after Madrid’s initial two-goal lead was erased by a resilient Elche side.
Madrid appeared to be cruising after Arda Guler’s free-kick ricocheted off the post and Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro to open the scoring, followed by Kylian Mbappe’s goal, which doubled the lead from a Yan Diomande cross. However, Elche mounted a comeback in the second half with Abiel Osorio and Nino scoring to level the match.
Espi, who transferred from Levante this summer, was introduced late in the game by manager Jose Mourinho. In stoppage time, Mbappe set up Espi at the back post to seal the victory for Madrid. This was Espi’s second crucial goal of the season, having previously scored a late winner against Espanyol.
The victory marks Madrid’s fifth win in six league matches, placing them neck and neck with defending champions Barcelona, who are scheduled to play Racing Santander on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Valencia claimed their first win of the season with a 1-0 result over Alaves, and Rayo Vallecano defeated Espanyol 2-1.