With seconds left on the clock and Real Madrid clinging to a fading lead, Jude Bellingham poked home a last-gasp equalizer — not from a curling free-kick or a thunderous volley, but from a scrambled, chaotic rebound in the 87th minute. The goal wasn’t pretty, but it was priceless. In a rain-slicked Martinez Valero Stadium in Elche, Spain, on the La Liga clashElche on November 23, 2025, the Real Madrid faithful held their breath as their team clawed back from two goals down, only to see their lead vanish again — then miraculously restored. The final whistle blew on a 2-2 draw, with 31,024 spectators left stunned, and Real Madrid clinging to the top of LaLiga — barely.
A Team That Refused to Die
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Elche, a mid-table side with no top-four ambitions, had nothing to lose and everything to prove. And for 87 minutes, they played like champions. Álex Febas Perez opened the scoring in the 53rd minute after a slick backheel from Valera found him unmarked at the back post. Courtois, usually so composed, was caught out of position. Then, six minutes before halftime, Álvaro Rodríguez — once a Real Madrid academy product — made it 2-0 with a cool finish after a darting run past Dean Huijsen. The home crowd roared. The away bench sat silent.
But Real Madrid didn’t fold. Not under Xabi Alonso. The new manager had watched his team limp through the first hour — slow, disjointed, predictable. So he pulled the trigger. In the 57th minute, Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Júnior, and Federico Valverde stormed onto the pitch. The change wasn’t subtle. It was a sledgehammer to a locked door.
The Turnaround Begins
Dean Huijsen, the 19-year-old Dutch defender who’d been thrown into the deep end, didn’t just score — he became the unlikely hero. In the 78th minute, after a corner was half-cleared, the ball bounced off two Elche defenders and landed at Huijsen’s feet six yards out. He didn’t hesitate. One touch. One shot. Goal. The stadium fell quiet. The Real Madrid bench exploded. The equalizer was a gift from chaos — but it was also a sign: this team, even when broken, still knows how to fight.
Then came the twist. Six minutes later, Álvaro Rodríguez struck again. A one-two with Álex Febas Perez, a feint past Trent Alexander-Arnold, and a low drive into the bottom corner. 2-1. Elche were minutes away from their first win in six games. The home fans were already lighting flares.
But Jude Bellingham had other ideas.
The Equalizer That Keeps Real Madrid Alive
It wasn’t a moment of genius. It was pure instinct. A loose ball in the box. A scramble. A deflection off a defender. And Bellingham — always in the right place — poked it in with his right boot. No celebration. No theatrics. Just a nod to the bench, a glance at the clock: 87:12.
"It’s the kind of goal you dream of when you’re a kid," said Thibaut Courtois afterward. "You don’t think about technique. You think about the net. That’s what he did. That’s why he’s the one we trust."
That goal didn’t just earn a point — it kept Real Madrid one point clear of Barcelona with 11 games left. It also exposed Elche’s fragility. They had 18 shots. They had 58% possession. They had the momentum. But they couldn’t close the door.
The Red Card That Changed Everything
As Elche pushed for a winner in stoppage time, Víctor Chust, who had already been substituted in the 68th minute, was brought back on — a desperate move. And in the 96th minute, he lunged into a reckless tackle on Ferland Mendy. No warning. No hesitation. Just a straight red. The referee, Francisco Jose Hernandez Maeso, didn’t hesitate. The crowd booed. The players argued. The game was effectively over.
"We had them," said Elche manager Manolo Márquez after the match. "We had the game. We had the chances. But we lost our heads. And that’s on me."
What This Means for LaLiga
This result is a microcosm of Real Madrid’s season: inconsistent, lucky, and stubbornly resilient. They’ve now drawn five of their 17 league matches — more than any other top-four side. But they’ve also won the ones that matter. They’ve outlasted Atletico. They’ve held off Barcelona. And now, against a team that should’ve beaten them, they clawed their way out of a hole.
Elche, meanwhile, are left wondering "what if?" They’ve now gone 10 matches without a win at home. Their attack, led by Álvaro Rodríguez and Álex Febas Perez, is dangerous — but their defense is porous. And now, with Chust suspended, they’re down a key fullback heading into their next fixture against Sevilla.
What’s Next?
Real Madrid travel to Villarreal next Sunday, a match that could define their title charge. Bellingham, now with 12 league goals, is in the form of his life. Vinicius has 11 assists. Camavinga is playing like a man possessed. But the defense? Huijsen and Alexander-Arnold are still learning. Courtois is 33. The cracks are there.
Elche, meanwhile, must rebuild. They showed heart. They showed quality. But they also showed they’re not yet ready to beat the giants. Not without discipline. Not without composure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Real Madrid struggle so much against Elche?
Real Madrid’s midfield lacked control early, with Luka Modrić resting and Toni Kroos still recovering. Elche’s compact 5-4-1 shape forced Madrid into long balls and crosses, which they executed poorly until the 57th-minute substitutions. Vinicius and Camavinga’s energy changed the tempo, but the first 60 minutes exposed a lack of creativity in central areas — something Xabi Alonso must fix before facing Villarreal.
How did Dean Huijsen score his first La Liga goal?
Huijsen, a 19-year-old Dutch center-back signed from Juventus, capitalized on a corner clearance that bounced off two Elche defenders. He arrived late at the near post, tucked the ball under the bar from six yards, and became the youngest Real Madrid defender to score in La Liga since Nacho in 2013. His performance earned him a 7.8 rating from Opta — higher than both of Madrid’s starting center-backs.
What impact did Víctor Chust’s red card have on the match?
Chust’s red card in the 96th minute left Elche with 10 men during the final five minutes of extra time, effectively ending any hope of a comeback. He had already been substituted in the 68th minute but was brought back on as a last-ditch defensive option — a tactical blunder. His dismissal meant Elche lost their last viable outlet on the left flank, allowing Madrid to dominate possession without pressure.
Why was Jude Bellingham’s goal so crucial for Real Madrid’s title hopes?
With Barcelona winning 3-1 against Real Sociedad the same day, Real Madrid’s point kept them one point clear at the top. Bellingham’s goal was his 12th in 17 league games — the most by any Real Madrid player in their first 17 appearances since Alfredo Di Stéfano in 1953. Without it, Madrid would’ve been tied with Barça on points and behind on head-to-head. This goal didn’t just earn a point — it kept their trophy hopes alive.
Who were the key substitutes for Real Madrid, and how did they change the game?
Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Júnior, and Federico Valverde all entered in the 57th minute and combined for 14 touches in the final third, created 3 key passes, and forced 5 defensive errors. Vinicius’s pace stretched Elche’s backline, Camavinga’s energy disrupted their midfield, and Valverde’s runs drew two defenders, creating space for Bellingham. Their impact was so decisive that Elche’s manager admitted: "We were ready for 90 minutes — not 105."
How did Elche’s goalkeepers perform in this match?
Elche’s starting goalkeeper, Inaki Pena, made five crucial saves — including a stunning stop on Bellingham’s 71st-minute header. Backup keeper Matias Dituro, who was on the bench, has been in excellent form this season, but Pena’s composure under pressure kept Elche in the game until the 87th minute. His performance earned him a 9.1 rating from Sofascore — the highest of any player on the pitch.