Real Madrid were forced to settle for another draw in La Liga after a dramatic 2–2 contest away to Elche, leaving them just one point ahead of Barcelona at the top of the table. Despite twice falling behind, Los Blancos rescued a point late in the match but could not find a winning goal.
Elche started brightly and matched Madrid chance for chance in a lively first half. Kylian Mbappé had two good opportunities within the opening 30 minutes but was denied both times by goalkeeper Iñaki Peña. Thibaut Courtois was equally busy at the other end, keeping out efforts from Rafa Mir and André Silva as Elche pushed forward with confidence.
The breakthrough came eight minutes after halftime when Aleix Febas finished off a well-worked Elche move, placing his shot off the post and in. Madrid manager Xabi Alonso responded immediately with a wave of substitutions, introducing Vinícius Júnior, Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Gonzalo García to spark the team into life.
The changes paid off as young defender Dean Huijsen scored his first La Liga goal, finishing from a Jude Bellingham assist to make it 1–1. But Elche refused to fold. In the 84th minute, Álvaro Rodríguez restored the home side’s lead with a clean strike from the edge of the box.
Madrid hit back again just three minutes later. Bellingham pounced inside the area to equalise, and after a lengthy VAR review, the goal stood despite protests from Elche players. Real Madrid pushed hard for a late winner, but half-chances went begging, leaving them with another frustrating draw.
The Spanish giants now turn their attention to a Champions League trip to Olympiacos before returning to the Bernabéu to face Girona on November 30.
