Key Takeaways
- Carlos Espi's late goal helped Real Madrid secure a 3-2 victory over Elche.
- The win keeps Real Madrid level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
- Jose Mourinho expressed concern over his team's failure to maintain a two-goal lead.
Real Madrid secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Elche on Tuesday, thanks to a late goal from substitute Carlos Espi. The goal, scored in the 91st minute, was Espi's second in as many games, both coming in vital moments for the team.
The win keeps Real Madrid level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga, despite Jose Mourinho's frustration over his team's failure to maintain a two-goal lead.
Espi, who was signed by Real Madrid this summer from Levante, has already demonstrated his value to the team with his goal against Espanyol in their opening game. His second goal this season came at a critical time, helping Real Madrid avoid a potentially costly draw.
Mourinho's tactical decisions were a topic of discussion, with the veteran coach admitting he risked everything by making late changes. He emphasized the importance of not allowing games to slip away, stating, '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.'
Real Madrid's performance was mixed, with key players like Jude Bellingham being rested for the first time this season. Arda Guler was brought in, and players from both teams wore T-shirts supporting residents from the city of Ceuta, although some players appeared to obscure the message.
Vinicius Junior, who has been struggling for form, missed several clear opportunities. He prodded wide after Guler set him up in the second minute and sent another effort badly off-target from the edge of the box. Despite these misses, Real Madrid took the lead midway through the first half, with Guler curling a free-kick around the wall and against the post, with the ball hitting Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro before it crossed the line, for an own goal.
Real Madrid's second goal came eight minutes later, created by Yan Diomande, who registered his first assist for the club. Diomande crossed for Mbappe to slip past Dituro for his eighth goal of the season across all competitions.
Elche pulled one back through Abiel Osorio's header from Lucas Cepeda's cross, but it was not enough to secure a win. The victory keeps Real Madrid in contention for the top spot in La Liga, with Barcelona hosting Racing Santander on Wednesday.
Mourinho's comments highlighted the pressure his team is under, stating, 'Playing with the two of them is not easy… with the changes I made late on, I risked everything, because a draw was not enough.'
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.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Playing with the two of them is not easy… with the changes I made late on, I risked everything, because a draw was not enough.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
