By Dorcas Francis Koji
Carlos Espi struck in stoppage time to rescue Real Madrid from a dramatic collapse as Jose Mourinho’s side defeated Elche 3-2 on Tuesday to move level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Espi, who joined Madrid from Levante during the summer, came off the bench to score the decisive goal in the 91st minute, continuing his remarkable impact despite yet to make a start for the Spanish giants.
The striker had also come to Madrid’s rescue on the opening weekend against Espanyol, scoring a late goal to secure victory. His two goals for the club have both proved crucial.
Madrid appeared to be cruising after taking a two-goal lead, but Elche produced a spirited comeback to level the contest before Espi restored the visitors’ advantage in the dying moments.
Arda Guler helped Madrid break the deadlock midway through the first half when his free-kick curled around the wall and struck the post before deflecting off Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro and crossing the line for an own goal.
Madrid doubled their lead eight minutes later after new signing Yan Diomande delivered his first assist for the club.
The Ivorian winger sent a cross into the box, allowing Kylian Mbappe to slip the ball past Dituro for his eighth goal of the season across all competitions.
Mbappe later combined with Diomande again early in the second half, but the France captain could only head the winger’s cross over the bar.
Vinicius Junior also had opportunities but endured a frustrating evening, missing several chances before being substituted.
Elche, however, refused to surrender.
Abiel Osorio reduced the deficit with a powerful header from Lucas Cepeda’s cross, giving the home side renewed belief.
The pressure eventually told in the 83rd minute when Nino produced a composed low finish to bring Elche level at 2-2.
With Madrid in danger of dropping two points after surrendering their two-goal advantage, Mourinho introduced Espi and Endrick in search of a winner.
The decision paid off almost immediately.
Espi made a well-timed run towards the back post, where Mbappe found him with a precise delivery. The substitute calmly finished to send Madrid back in front and secure a dramatic 3-2 victory.
The result gives Madrid five wins from their opening six league matches and moves them level on points with defending champions Barcelona, who were scheduled to host Racing Santander on Wednesday.
Mourinho acknowledged Espi’s contribution while noting the challenge of finding room for the young striker alongside Mbappe.
“Espi comes on with great motivation, but he has in front of him a player who is not a normal player,” Mourinho said of Mbappe.
“Playing with the two of them is not easy. With the changes I made late on, I risked everything, because a draw was not enough.”
The veteran coach was also critical of Madrid’s failure to finish the game after establishing a two-goal advantage.
“There are games which seem to be over, which we’re not killing off, and after not killing them off they go from easy to being out of control,” he added.
Mourinho rested Jude Bellingham for the first time this season, with Arda Guler taking his place in the starting lineup.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Valencia secured their first victory of the season with a 1-0 win at Alaves, while Rayo Vallecano defeated Espanyol 2-1.
Valencia’s victory came just days after the club dismissed coach Carlos Corberan, with Luis Rioja scoring the decisive goal 12 minutes from time.
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