Carlos Espi strikes in stoppage time as Real Madrid edge past Elche

Carlos Espi scored in the first minute of stoppage time to give Real Madrid a 3-2 victory over Elche, lifting them level on points with LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

Real Madrid started strongly and almost took the lead inside two minutes when Vinicius Junior sent a six-yard effort wide. Elche responded through Tete Morente, who dragged a shot beyond the far post, while Dean Huijsen headed straight at Matias Dituro from a corner.

Huijsen, who scored in both meetings between the sides last season, was one of five changes to the Real Madrid starting XI.

The end-to-end opening continued, with Abiel Osorio firing over the crossbar on his first start for Elche before Vinicius missed another promising opportunity.

The visitors eventually went ahead in fortunate circumstances in the 25th minute. Arda Guler’s free-kick struck the far post, then flicked off Dituro’s glove and rebounded into the net for an own goal.

Real Madrid doubled their advantage eight minutes later when Kylian Mbappe met Yan Diomande’s cross and swept the ball home. It was Mbappe’s seventh LaLiga goal of the season and his first away from home in the competition since February.

Mbappe had another effort disallowed for offside soon afterwards, while Thibaut Courtois made an important low save from Morente in stoppage time. Elche therefore went into the interval behind for the fifth time this season.

The hosts continued to threaten after the restart. Osorio saw a close-range attempt deflect behind off Ibrahima Konate, before Morente’s long-range strike flew narrowly wide with Courtois scrambling across his goal.

Real Madrid remained dangerous on the counter-attack, but Vinicius failed to take advantage of one such opportunity when he pulled his shot wide. That miss proved costly 19 minutes from time, as Osorio headed Lucas Cepeda’s cross into the net for his first goal for Elche.

Elche completed their second-half recovery seven minutes before the end of normal time. Substitute Fer Nino collected the ball and drove a low effort into the bottom corner, leaving Courtois with no chance.

Real Madrid then pushed forward in search of a decisive goal and found it at the start of added time. Mbappe broke into space and squared the ball for Espi, who finished into an empty net.

The result extends Real Madrid’s unbeaten run against Elche to 20 matches, comprising 16 wins and four draws. They sit behind Barcelona only on goal difference.

Elche, meanwhile, remain without a victory under manager Martin Anselmi and have dropped to the bottom of LaLiga after six matches, with two draws and four defeats.

Kylian Mbappe was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match.