Jude Bellingham scored and assisted as Real Madrid returned to the top of La Liga despite a dramatic 2-2 draw against Elche. The England midfielder converted Kylian Mbappe’s cut-back in the 87th minute to secure a point for Xabi Alonso’s side, who had fallen behind twice at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
Elche Takes the Lead Twice
Aleix Febas opened the scoring eight minutes into the second half, poking a shot past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and off the right-hand post. Real Madrid responded through former Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who tapped home Bellingham’s knockdown to equalize twelve minutes later. Elche regained the lead when Alvaro Rodriguez fired a low shot from the edge of the box in the 84th minute.
Bellingham Strikes Again
Bellingham ensured Madrid left with a point, scoring his third goal in four La Liga matches. The 22-year-old’s late strike demonstrated his growing influence on the team. Elche finished the match with ten men after defender Victor Chust received a second yellow card for a foul on Mbappe in stoppage time.
Madrid Returns to the Top
The draw lifted Real Madrid above Barcelona, who had beaten Athletic Club 4-0 in their first match back at Spotify Camp Nou. Elche remained in 11th place after a spirited performance. Mbappe created Madrid’s best first-half chances but shot straight at Inaki Pena from a tight angle after breaking free of the home defense.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, playing as a right wing-back, nearly assisted Mbappe on a first-time effort that Pena blocked. Elche threatened as well, with Rafa Mir firing directly at Courtois and Andre da Silva seeing a low drive stopped before the interval.
Intense Second Half Action
The second half saw continuous end-to-end play. Rodrygo tested Pena with a powerful strike, and Courtois made a fine save to deny Febas. Huijsen canceled Febas’ opener, but Rodriguez’s late goal gave Elche a historic chance to beat Madrid for the first time since March 1978. Bellingham denied them victory with his decisive strike, building on his pre-international break goals against Barcelona and Valencia.
Before kickoff, Real Madrid issued an apology for mistakenly using a picture of Elche forward Andre da Silva in a tribute video for Diogo Jota and his brother. Alonso’s squad next faces Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday, 26 November at 20:00 GMT.
