Carlos Espí’s 90th-Minute Goal Gives Real Madrid a 3-2 Win at Elche

Real Madrid defeated Elche 3-2 at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, recovering from a late Elche comeback to secure victory in Tuesday’s La Liga regular-season round six match. Madrid led 2-0 at half-time, conceded twice in the second half, then won through Carlos Espí’s 90th-minute goal.

Madrid take early control

The opening goal arrived in the 25th minute when Matías Dituro was credited with an own goal for Real Madrid. Kylian Mbappé then doubled the advantage eight minutes later, finishing a move assisted by Yan Diomande. The 2-0 interval score gave Real Madrid a strong platform, although Elche had more of the ball overall.

Elche held 56% possession and completed 493 accurate passes compared with Real Madrid’s 384. That control did not translate into the same attacking volume. Real Madrid recorded 20 total shots to Elche’s 11, including 15 efforts from inside the box against seven. The visitors also had five corners to Elche’s two, suggesting that their chances were more frequent despite spending less time in possession.

Elche level the match, but Madrid respond

Elche changed two players in the 58th minute, bringing on Lucas Cepeda and Thomas Lemar for Marc Aguado and Germán Valera. Further substitutions followed for both teams, and the hosts eventually turned the contest around. Abiel Alessio Osorio reduced the deficit in the 71st minute after Lucas Cepeda’s assist. Fernando Niño Rodríguez then made it 2-2 in the 83rd minute, with José Antonio Ferrández Pomares providing the final pass.

The equaliser appeared to complete Elche’s recovery, but Real Madrid produced the decisive moment in stoppage time. Carlos Espí scored in the 90th minute after an assist from Mbappé, restoring Madrid’s lead and sealing the three points. Real Madrid goalkeeper made one save, while Elche recorded two, as the visitors converted their stronger shot count into a winning scoreline.

Mbappé leads the ratings

Mbappé was the standout performer, receiving a match rating of 8.9 after playing all 90 minutes. He scored once, assisted Espí’s winner, and created three key passes. Diomande also contributed an assist and three key passes, though he received a yellow card in the fourth minute.

The match produced six yellow cards in total. Elche’s Marc Aguado, Lucas Cepeda, José Antonio Ferrández Pomares and Gonzalo Villar were booked, while Ibrahima Konaté joined Diomande in Real Madrid’s disciplinary list. Neither side received a red card. The result gives Real Madrid three more points after five wins in their last six matches, while Elche’s run of draws and defeats continues and their league total remains two points after six games.