Real Madrid returned to the top of La Liga on Sunday after Jude Bellingham’s late equaliser rescued a 2-2 draw against a spirited Elche side, capping a night in which Los Blancos twice had to come from behind to secure a crucial point.
Xabi Alonso’s men endured a difficult evening at the Martínez Valero, struggling to impose their rhythm against a disciplined Elche team that refused to be overwhelmed by the league leaders. Aleix Febas gave the hosts the lead early in the second half, before Dean Huijsen dragged Madrid level, only for Álvaro Rodríguez to fire Elche ahead again with a fierce strike from the edge of the box.
Madrid responded almost immediately. Kylian Mbappé worked tirelessly to keep the ball alive before squaring for Bellingham, who stabbed home from close range to secure his side a hard-fought point and push them one point clear at the top. Barcelona had closed the gap a day earlier, thrashing Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in their first game back at Camp Nou.
Alonso made several bold selection choices, handing Rodrygo Goes a rare start in attack while benching Vinícius Júnior. He also reinstated Trent Alexander-Arnold to the starting lineup for the first time since August. Elche capitalised on the adjustments, slicing through Madrid with a brilliant move that saw German Valera’s backheel release Febas, who slipped behind Alexander-Arnold to score off the far post.
Madrid’s first equaliser arrived when Alexander-Arnold’s dangerous cross deflected off a defender and clipped the bar before earning a corner. The England international delivered the ensuing set-piece, which Bellingham flicked on for Huijsen to smash home from close range.
But Elche refused to fade, and Rodríguez stunned Thibaut Courtois with a powerful drive that put the hosts back in front. Three minutes later, Madrid struck again. Mbappé chased down a loose ball on the byline and squeezed a pass across goal for Bellingham to finish decisively.
Bellingham, who was in the headlines earlier in the week after expressing frustration at being substituted by England coach Thomas Tuchel, was far from his dominant best. Still, his involvement in both goals underlined his instinctive ability to deliver defining moments even in quieter performances. The midfielder is still regaining form after missing several weeks through injury following his summer move from Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold endured a mixed night as well, contributing to Madrid’s first goal but also losing track of Febas in the buildup to Elche’s opener. The hosts, who impressed recently against Barcelona, pushed Madrid hard throughout and carved out early chances, including a fine save from Courtois to deny André da Silva.
The match also came on a difficult day for Los Blancos after an unfortunate incident during the club’s annual general meeting saw a mistaken tribute displayed involving André da Silva, whose image was shown in error during a memorial for former Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, both of whom died in a car crash in July.
Former Barcelona goalkeeper Iñaki Peña kept Elche competitive throughout, notably stopping Mbappé twice in the first half, including a dangerous volley that looked destined for the bottom corner.
