Espí's stoppage-time winner completes Real Madrid's 3-2 comeback at Elche

Real Madrid needed a stoppage-time goal to get past Elche at the Martínez Valero, coming from two goals clear to 2-2 down the stretch before substitute Carlos Espí settled it in the first minute of added time for a 3-2 win. It was Real Madrid's fifth win in six league matches this season, and it did not come easily.

Real Madrid were two goals up by half-time without ever playing especially fluently. Arda Güler's free-kick in the 25th minute struck the inside of the post and came back in off goalkeeper Matías Dituro, recorded as an own goal rather than credited to the Turkish midfielder. Kylian Mbappé doubled the lead eight minutes later, and the visitors went in at the break 2-0 up with the game looking settled.

Osorio and Fer Niño drag Elche level

Elche had the better of a flat Real Madrid second half, and it showed on the scoreboard. Abiel Osorio pulled one back in the 71st minute, finishing from close range after Real Madrid failed to clear their lines, and substitute Fer Niño levelled it at 2-2 with seven minutes left, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. For a spell it looked like Real Madrid would drop points at a side sitting bottom of the table without a win all season.

Espí had the final word. The 21-year-old, signed from Levante in the summer, controlled Mbappé's pass inside the box and steered it home in the first minute of stoppage time to make it 3-2 and complete the rescue act.

Goal timeline

Match stats

Line-ups

Real Madrid lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Courtois in goal, Trent, Huijsen, Konaté and Cucurella across the back four, Tchouaméni and Valverde screening midfield, and Arda Güler, Diomande and Vinícius Júnior in behind Mbappé. Elche set up in a 4-5-1 with Dituro in goal, Sangaré, Revivo, Redondo and Chust at the back, Aguado, Neto, Germán V., Villar and Morente across midfield, and Osorio leading the line alone.

A second late rescue act for Espí

This was the second time this season Espí has come off the bench to score a decisive late goal for Real Madrid — he also struck in the 90th minute away at Espanyol on the opening weekend of the campaign. Two cameo appearances, two matchwinning contributions, and a manager in José Mourinho who now has a genuine option to turn to when a result is slipping away in the closing stages.

"There are games which seem to be over… which we're not killing off, and after not killing them off they go from easy to being out of control."

— José Mourinho, Real Madrid manager

The underlying form holds, even if the manner did not

Real Madrid's broader form remains strong regardless of the late scare. Before this trip to Elche they had won four of their previous five league matches, the only blemish a 1-0 loss at Real Betis, and had added a Champions League win over Inter Milan in midweek. Six wins from seven matches in all competitions is a rich return, even if needing a stoppage-time goal at a side without a win all season will concern Mourinho more than the final score does.

Where it leaves the table

Real Madrid went into the round second in LaLiga on 12 points from five matches, three points behind leaders Barcelona. This win takes them to 15, level with Barcelona ahead of the champions' own matchday-6 fixture the following night. Elche went into the round 19th on 2 points from four matches without a win all season, and this defeat — their third in five — keeps them there, still searching for their first victory of the campaign.