Real Madrid's draw against Elche: A Late Rescue by Bellingham
On November 23, 2025, in a thrilling La Liga match, Jude Bellingham came to Real Madrid's rescue, securing a 2-2 draw against Elche. This crucial goal not only salvaged a point but also kept Real Madrid at the top of the league standings. But here's where it gets interesting... The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Real Madrid twice having to claw their way back from behind.
Elche, proving to be a formidable opponent, took the lead initially, with Aleix Febas finding the back of the net. Dean Huijsen then leveled the score for the league leaders. However, Elche responded, with Alvaro Rodriguez putting them back in front. But, in a moment of clutch performance, Bellingham struck, equalizing for Real Madrid.
This draw allowed Real Madrid to maintain their top position, albeit by a single point. Their closest rivals, Barcelona, had a triumphant weekend, thrashing Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in their first match back at the rebuilt Camp Nou. This victory put pressure on Real Madrid, making their match against Elche even more critical.
Coach Xabi Alonso acknowledged the team's disappointment, stating they always aim for victory. He made some strategic changes, giving Rodrygo Goes a rare start and benching Vinicius Junior. Trent Alexander-Arnold also made his first start since August, after recovering from an injury.
A Controversial Moment
Alexander-Arnold's performance was under scrutiny, as he was partly responsible for Febas's opening goal. Elche's impressive performance against Barcelona weeks earlier set the stage for a challenging encounter at the Martinez Valero stadium.
The game saw several key moments, including a crucial save by Real Madrid's goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, denying Andre da Silva. There was also an unfortunate incident before the match at Real Madrid's annual general meeting, where a photograph of Andre da Silva was mistakenly displayed in a tribute. Inaki Pena, the former Barca goalkeeper, denied Kylian Mbappe on several occasions, highlighting Elche's strong defensive display.
Elche's second goal was a result of a brilliant move, with German Valera's backheel setting up Febas. Alonso responded by bringing on Vinicius and Gonzalo Garcia. Alexander-Arnold played a role in Madrid's equalizer, his cross leading to a corner that Huijsen converted.
Elche regained the lead with Rodriguez's powerful shot, but Mbappe's quick thinking set up Bellingham for the second equalizer. Bellingham, despite not being at his best, proved his game-changing ability.
A Clash of Opinions
Controversially, Elche felt that Vinicius's collision with goalkeeper Pena before Bellingham's goal was a foul, leaving Pena with a bloody nose. While Pena downplayed the incident, his coach, Eder Sarabia, was furious, calling it a "clear foul." He expressed disappointment with the draw, given his team's performance, especially after finishing with ten men due to Victor Chust's late dismissal.
What do you think? Was the collision a foul? Did Elche deserve more from the match? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
