Elche 2-3 Real Madrid (OG, Mbappé & Espí). A new saviour… Here is my reaction to the late drama. Be sure to catch: Player ratings, quotes from the presser and a podcast.
Real Madrid were starting to generate some excitement after a strong start to the season, and a trip the a weaker Elche, in comparison to last year, would have fans licking their lips. Yan Diomande earns another go at starting, this time being joined by Trent Alexander-Arnold on his side. The rest of the team was as predicted, with
the likes of Endrick and Thiago Pitarch continuing to take a space up on the bench. Fede Valverde is the Real Madrid captain.
Elche had the first chance of the game, before Dean Huijsen headed just off target. The hosts then had another try, before Vinícius Júnior would respond with a miss of his own. An own goal gave Los Blancos a lead, which was quickly doubled by the ever-present Kylian Mbappé. Mbappé had another goal chalked off for offside, and Madrid should have scored a couple more before half-time. Nonetheless, 2-0 at the interval.
The second-half proved to be a very different story. Chances were far and few until Vinícius Júnior struck a ball just past the post. Elche managed to pull one back via a header, before sinking Real Madrid with the equaliser inside the final ten minutes. It looked pretty gloomy, but Carlos Espí was determined to become a super-sub specialist. It was an easy finish after being set up by Kylian Mbappé, but vital for Real Madrid who salvaged the win inside added time. 2-3 at full-time. What did you think about all of the drama?
