Elche 2-2 Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso's team rescues 1 point in Alicante with controversy

Thanks to a goal from Jude Bellingham in the 86th minute, preceded by a clear foul by Vinicius Jr. on Iñaki Peña, Real Madrid salvaged a draw at Elche (2-2). On matchday 13 of LaLiga, the 'merengues' completed another very weak collective performance and only thanks to the refereeing favor of Hernández Maeso and Melero López (VAR), they avoided another defeat that would have cost them the lead.

Madrid was never ahead in Alicante and, in fact, they almost failed to score for the third consecutive match. Facing them, Elche, with Iñaki Peña and Héctor Fort put on a great performance at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.

Xabi Alonso wanted to surprise with a 3-4-3, opting for Fran García and Alexander-Arnold as wing-backs, while Álvaro Carreras completed the back three alongside Huijsen and Asencio.

However, **Madrid once again lacked depth and ideas in midfield**, as well as effectiveness from their forwards. After an even first half, **Aleix Febas** put the home side ahead in the 53rd minute. In the final stretch, there were three more goals, two for the 'Merengue' side, to seal a controversial draw that leaves FC Barcelona 1 point behind the leaders.

Iñaki Peña and Courtois, key figures in a vibrant first half

The match was a back-and-forth from minute 1, with an Elche team that was defiant and willing to hurt its rival, not only by betting on quick counter-attacks but also by pressing in the opponent's half and good ball movement. Rafa Mir had the first clear chance for the home team in the 16th minute, taking advantage of a good pass from André Silva from the wing.

The '10's shot, however, was cleared by Courtois with his feet. The Belgian intervened again in the 39th minute, this time to **nullify a one-on-one against André Silva**. Madrid also came close to scoring with a mid-range shot from **Arda Güler** that grazed the crossbar and a counter-attack finished by **Mbappé** in which the Frenchman's control was too long before shooting

Madrid's clearest chance in the first 45 minutes came in the 32nd minute, after a cross from Alexander-Arnold to the heart of the area, which Mbappé finished on first touch. Iñaki Peña, with pure reflex, saved the shot with his left hand and foot, despite being surprised by 'Kiki's' close-range arrival.

Aleix Febas put Elche ahead with a great goal

Aleix Febas celebrating his goal against Real Madrid

After the break, both teams kept their lineups intact. Rodrygo warned with a cross shot in the first attack of the second half, but Iñaki responded by sending the ball to the corner

Real seemed more lively in attack, but Elche opened the scoring in the 53rd minute with a great goal from Aleix Febas. The midfielder played a one-two with Germán Valera to go one-on-one with Courtois. The Belgian tried to close down quickly, but the Elche player poked the ball to leave the '1' with no chance.

Seeing themselves at a disadvantage, Xabi Alonso moved the bench with a triple substitution: Vinicius, Camavinga, and Valverde on for Rodrygo, Fran García, and Dani Ceballos, the latter having a very weak performance as a defensive midfielder.

The changes gave Madrid more ball control, but Vinicius was erratic in the box. Mbappé, on the right, was the best of the white attack, which also incorporated Gonzalo García as a '9' instead of Arda Güler. The Turk also did not have a good night in Alicante.

Controversial and wild end to the match at the Martínez Valero

Gonzalo García came close to scoring in stoppage time

Eder Sarabia also refreshed his XI, using all five substitutions, including **Héctor Fort's exit in the 66'** for Adrià Pedrosa. The match seemed to be controlled by the home team, but Dean Huijsen, in the 78th minute, equalized the score after a corner where Asencio managed to head the ball down for the number 24 to push it in at close range.

Despite the blow, Elche reacted in the 84th minute with a remarkable individual play by **Álvaro Rodríguez**. The '20' came on five minutes earlier for André Silva and scored a screamer after dribbling past Asencio and firing a shot from the edge of the box, very precise and impossible for Courtois.

The joy, however, was short-lived for the home team. In the 86th minute, Jude Bellingham made it 2-2 in a bizarre play that ended with Mbappé passing back along the byline for the Englishman to push the ball into the net.

The goal was preceded by a foul by Vinicius on Iñaki Peña. The Brazilian, in his eagerness to snatch a rebound from Bellingham's first shot, hit the goalkeeper from Alicante with his knee, who ended up with a bleeding nose. Despite this, the main referee Hernández Maeso validated the goal. Nor was there any call from VAR by Melero López.

The comeback was frantic, with Real Madrid coming close to scoring through Gonzalo and an Elche side that finished with ten men after Víctor Chust's expulsion. In the end, the Whites salvaged a draw that allows them to maintain their lead in LaLiga, now with only a 1-point advantage over Barça, after two consecutive draws and a couple of Catalan victories.

Match Report: Elche 2-2 Real Madrid

• Elche, 2: Iñaki Peña; Héctor Fort (Pedrosa, min. 66), Álvaro Núñez, David Affengruber, Víctor Chust, Germán Valera (Pétrot, min. 83); Aleix Febas, Diangana (Neto, min. 66), Marc Aguado (Redondo, min. 83); Rafa Mir, André Silva (Álvaro Rodríguez, min. 79).
• Real Madrid, 2: Courtois; Carreras (Brahim, min. 90), Huijsen, Raúl Asencio; Fran García (Valverde, min. 57), Arda Güler (Gonzalo, min. 64), Dani Ceballos (Camavinga, min. 57), Alexander-Arnold; Bellingham, Rodrygo (Vinicius, min. 57), Mbappé.
• Goals: 1-0, Aleix Febas (min. 53); 1-1, Dean Huijsen (min. 78); 2-1, Álvaro Rodríguez (min. 84); 2-2, Jude Bellingham (min. 86).
• Referee: Francisco José Hernández Maeso. He cautioned David Affengruber, Aleix Maeso, and Víctor Chust for Elche. He sent off Víctor Chust with a second yellow card in stoppage time. He allowed a goal by Jude Bellingham preceded by a foul by Vinicius on Iñaki Peña.
• Stadium: Manuel Martínez Valero in Alicante.
• Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 13 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26.