Jude Bellingham delivered a goal and an assist as Real Madrid reclaimed top spot in La Liga, salvaging a dramatic late draw against Elche.
The England international struck three minutes from time, sweeping in a cut-back from Kylian Mbappé to secure a point for Xabi Alonso’s side, who had twice fallen behind at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.
Elche opened the scoring eight minutes after the break when Aleix Febas stabbed a close-range effort beyond Thibaut Courtois and in off the far post. Real responded with 12 minutes remaining as former Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen tucked in Bellingham’s headed knockdown to level the match.
But the home side hit back almost immediately, Álvaro Rodríguez rifling a low shot from the edge of the area to restore Elche’s lead and put them on the brink of a rare victory over Madrid—their first since 1978.
Bellingham, however, ensured the visitors avoided defeat, netting his third goal in four league outings. Elche’s hopes of holding on were further dented when Víctor Chust received a second yellow card in stoppage time for a foul on Mbappé.
The draw lifts Madrid back above Barcelona, who returned to Spotify Camp Nou with a 4–0 win over Athletic Club on Saturday. Elche remain in 11th place.
Madrid had created several chances in a lively first half, with Mbappé twice denied by goalkeeper Iñaki Peña after breaking in behind the defence. Trent Alexander-Arnold, deployed as a right wing-back, nearly set up the French forward with a teasing cross, but Mbappé could only guide his first-time strike straight at Peña.
Elche threatened as well, Rafa Mir forcing Courtois into a save from close range, while André da Silva saw a low effort blocked before the interval.
The end-to-end action continued after the restart. Rodrygo’s fierce drive was tipped over by Peña, and Courtois produced another sharp stop to thwart Febas before the midfielder eventually found the net.
Rodríguez’s late goal appeared to have sealed a famous victory for Elche, but Bellingham’s timely intervention ensured Madrid escaped with a point—continuing the 22-year-old’s excellent run of form following his goals against Barcelona and Valencia before the international break.
Images courtesy Real Madrid
