Bellingham clinches vital draw for Real Madrid against Elche
Jude Bellingham scored a crucial late goal to earn Real Madrid a 2-2 draw away to Elche on Sunday, propelling his side to the top of La Liga with a one-point advantage.
Xabi Alonso's team faced difficulties against the mid-table side in a lively encounter where Madrid had to recover from deficits twice.
Aleix Febas put the home team in front before Dean Huijsen restored parity for the frontrunners, and Bellingham poked the ball in from near the line after Alvaro Rodriguez had restored Elche's lead with a fierce shot.
Runners-up Barcelona reduced Madrid's gap by two points during the weekend, following their 4-0 demolition of Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in their return to Camp Nou.
"Football is unpredictable: after building momentum we've encountered some disappointing outcomes, yet we remain focused on our objectives," Alonso commented to the press.
"We're dissatisfied since victory is always the aim."
Alonso handed Rodrygo Goes an uncommon starting role in the forward line, while resting Vinicius Junior. The manager also provided Trent Alexander-Arnold with his debut start since August.
The English player had been sidelined by injury for multiple weeks and continues to adjust after his transfer from Liverpool last summer.
Alexander-Arnold contributed to Febas's opener, as the Elche player slipped past him to open the scoring in the second period.
Elche had performed well versus Barcelona recently and posed a stern challenge for Madrid at the Martinez Valero ground.
Madrid's keeper Thibaut Courtois pulled off an excellent stop early to thwart Andre da Silva, set up by Hector Fort.
The attacker featured in an awkward moment earlier that day during Real Madrid's yearly assembly, where the club mistakenly showed his image in a homage to ex-Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his sibling Andre Silva, both lost in a vehicle accident in July.
Ex-Barcelona custodian Inaki Pena blocked Kylian Mbappe following the Frenchman's clear run on target, then repelled the star's volley during Madrid's prime opportunity in the opening half.
Elche shocked Madrid soon after the break with a fluid sequence that handed them the advantage.
German Valera's clever back pass enabled Febas to evade Alexander-Arnold and fire a low effort across the face of goal, off the upright and beyond Courtois.
Obvious infringement
Alonso countered by introducing Vinicius and promising forward Gonzalo Garcia. Alexander-Arnold atoned somewhat by aiding Madrid's leveller.
His delivery looped off a defender onto their own bar before going out for a corner. Alexander-Arnold curled it across, Bellingham nodded it towards Huijsen who smashed it home.
Elche regained the upper hand as Rodriguez surprised Courtois with a thunderous strike from distance.
Yet, merely three minutes on, Madrid drew level once more, with Mbappe managing to keep the ball alive for Bellingham to finish from close quarters.
The English playmaker had drawn attention domestically earlier that week, frustrated by his substitution under England boss Thomas Tuchel.
Bellingham lacked his usual sharpness at Elche but played a part in both Madrid strikes, underscoring his knack for decisive moments inside the penalty area despite a subdued display.
Elche expressed discontent over Vinicius's challenge on Pena ahead of Bellingham's strike, which left the keeper with a nosebleed.
Pena described the incident as a standard occurrence in matches, but manager Eder Sarabia was incensed.
"That was an evident foul, without question," stated Sarabia, who lamented settling for a single point despite his side's strong showing, even after ending the game a man down due to Victor Chust's late red card for a double booking.