Jose Mourinho admitted Real Madrid “risked everything” during his LaLiga victory by 3-2 at Elchewith substitute Carlos Espi scoring a goal in the 91st minute.
Madrid looked comfortable after taking a 2-0 lead in the first half. Arda Guler’s free-kick was turned into his own net by Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro earlier. Kylian Mbappé doubled the lead after being found by Yan Diomande.
However, Elche scored twice late in the game to tie the game and put a lot of pressure on Madrid’s strong start.
Mourinho responded by sending on strikers Espi and Endrick, leaving Madrid with six attacking players on the pitch. T
The move paid off when Jude Bellingham found Mbappe, who crossed for Espi to score the winning goal.
“With the changes at the end, I risked everything,” Mourinho said.
“We won, but we could have lost. We had to, because a draw is not enough.”
Shocking spy
Espi has now scored the final win in two games this season, having also beaten Espanyol.
The youngster also had an equalizer at Real Betis ruled out, underlining his growing influence despite competing for minutes alongside Mbappé.
“(Espi) is doing well, making an important contribution to the team,” Mourinho said.
“He has a problem in front of him, which is a player who is not a normal player (Mbappe), and playing with both of them together is not easy.”
Madrid are tied with Barcelona
Mourinho admitted Real Madrid had made life difficult after failing to finish off Elche when in control.
“In games that seem over, we have three, four, five chances to kill him, and we don’t,” he said.
“We didn’t score, we didn’t finish it with 3 or 4 to 0. When it looks easy, you leave things like that, away from home in these stadiums.
“They score a goal and it’s an open game. The best thing is that in difficulties the team reacts and wins.”
The result drew Madrid level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga, ahead of Barcelona’s match against Racing de Santander.
