Carlos Espi scored a winner in the 91st minute as Real Madrid survived an almighty scare to win 3-2 a Elx in LaLiga.
Jose Mourinho’s men appeared headed for a routine victory after a Matias Dituro own goal and Kylian Mbappe strike put them in front at the Estadio Martínez Valero.
But Elche showed remarkable character to fight back and put themselves on the cusp of a share of the spoils, Abiel Osorio and Fer Nino erasing Madrid’s lead.
However, the hosts were certainly victims of their ambition as they were caught on the counter in stoppage time, Mbappé squared for Espi to slot in and prevent Madrid from suffering another damaging setback in their LaLiga title race.
The win brings Madrid level on points with Barcelona at the top of LaLiga. Hansi Flick’s side will host Racing de Santander on Wednesday.
Madrid survives a massive scare
Madrid’s only blip so far this season came in their last away game, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis, and there were warning signs in Elche that they would be in for another tough encounter despite the home side failing to win any of their first five matches.
Elche started the game brightly, with Tete Morente firing wide before Osorio flashed over the bar, with two early chances begging.
Vinicius Junior pulled away with the goal that looked at his mercy at the other end, but Elche were made to pay for their blunder when Arda Guler curled a superb free-kick onto the post, although he was given no credit as the ball bounced off Dituro’s hand into the net.
And Madrid’s lead was doubled eight minutes later when Yan Diomande was sent down the right, with the Ivorian winger then producing a perfectly weighted cross for Mbappe to head home.
The Madrid talisman required treatment after a collision with the goalkeeper in the act of scoring, but was involved when Madrid almost made it 3-0. Mbappé laid the ball off for Vinicius after a quick break from Los Blancos, but Dituro equalized his low effort.
Mbappé looked to have doubled his tally and given Madrid a three-goal lead after latching on to a through ball and tapping home at the near post, but the France star was denied by the offside flag.
Osorio lashed home at the far post as Elche looked for a way back into the contest, with Morente later smacking the palms of Courtois in long rage.
Morente went close with another ambitious effort that went just wide, although the home side were fortunate that Vinicius’ disappointing night continued in front of goal as he spurned another chance to deflect the opener after good work from Guler.
Elche got the goal they deserved in the second half in the 71st minute when substitute Luis Cepeda got to the byline and unearthed an attractive cross from the left, which the impressive Osorio headed over the bar and beyond Courtois.
Twelve minutes later, Elche completed the comeback. Thomas Lemar and Josan combined well to set up Nino’s goal, who calmly produced an unerring shot into the far corner.
That goal seemed to bring Madrid back to life, but it looked like they would leave more points on their travels when Espi shot wide on the turn.
But Espi, the match-winner for Espanyol in Madrid’s first game of the season, could make no mistake with a simple finish after Jude Bellingham teed up Mbappé on goal and unselfishly laid the ball on a plate for the substitute to seal victory.
