NEWS
Real Madrid snatches late win against Elche in injury time
The Madrilenians squander a two-goal lead, but manage to take three points thanks to a late goal.
Real Madrid secured a late 3-2 victory against Elche CF in the sixth round of LaLiga.
After an initial chance for Elche through Tete Morente (9'), the "Royals" took control. The lead came in the 25th minute following an unfortunate own goal by Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro. Arda Güler had previously curled a free-kick onto the left post, from where the ball rebounded off the keeper's arm, involuntarily redirecting it into his own net.
Kylian Mbappé doubled the lead to 2-0 before half-time. Following an assist from Yan Diomande, the Frenchman slotted it in (33'). Federico Valverde had a goal disallowed for offside in the 42nd minute.
Espí Rescues Victory
After the break, Elche pulled one back, with the goal coming in the 71st minute. Abiel Osorio headed home a cross from Lucas Cepeda to make it 1-2. The favorites, Real, continued to look less than convincing – and surrendered their lead.
Fer Nino slotted the ball unstoppably into the far corner, with the assist for the goal belonging to Josan and Nino himself, who cleverly dummied a pass (83'). However, the bottom-placed team's seemingly sensational point was not to be.
Youngster Carlos Espí scored in injury time to restore the lead for the visitors, needing only to tap it in – Mbappé unselfishly set up the goal after a sprint from a tight angle (90'+1).
With the narrow victory, the Madrilenians provisionally move level on 15 points with FC Barcelona; however, Barca has played one game fewer. Elche remains at the bottom of the table with two points.
