Sports

Late Espi Strike Rescues Real Madrid in Thriller at Elche

By Today News Hours Editorial Desk

Real Madrid secured a dramatic late victory over Elche, coming from behind in stoppage time to claim all three points. The visitors started strongly, with Vinicius Junior missing an early chance from six yards within the first two minutes. Elche responded through Tete Morente, whose shot narrowly missed the far post, while Dean Huijsen, one of five changes to Madrid's starting lineup, headed a corner straight at goalkeeper Matias Dituro. Elche's Abiel Osorio, making his first start for the club, also had a chance but shot over the crossbar, while Vinicius squandered another opportunity for Madrid before halftime. The deadlock was broken in the 25th minute when Arda Guler's free-kick struck the post and deflected off Dituro's glove into the net for an own goal. Kylian Mbappe extended Madrid's lead eight minutes later, converting a cross from Yan Diomande for his seventh LaLiga goal this season and his first away goal in the league since February. Mbappe had another effort disallowed for offside, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save in stoppage time to preserve Madrid's two-goal lead at halftime. Elche came out fighting in the second half, with Osorio's close-range shot deflected behind by Ibrahima Konate, and Morente forcing a save from Courtois with a long-range effort. Vinicius missed another chance to seal the game for Madrid before Osorio pulled a goal back for Elche in the 71st minute, heading in a cross from Lucas Cepeda. Elche continued to push and equalized in the 83rd minute through substitute Fer Nino, who found the bottom corner with a low shot past Courtois. In the first minute of stoppage time, Mbappe broke through Elche's defense and set up Carlos Espi, who slotted the ball into an empty net to secure a 3-2 victory for Real Madrid. The win keeps Madrid just behind Barcelona on goal difference and extends their unbeaten streak against Elche to 20 matches, with 16 wins and 4 draws. Elche, meanwhile, remain winless under manager Martin Anselmi, sitting at the bottom of the LaLiga table after six games, with two draws and four losses. Kylian Mbappe was named Man of the Match for his performance.