When Jude Bellingham poked home a last-gasp equalizer in the 87th minute at Estadio Martínez Valero, it wasn’t just a goal—it was a lifeline. The LaLiga Matchday 13 Elche clash between Elche CF and Real Madrid ended 2-2 on November 23, 2025, after a rollercoaster 90 minutes that saw home fans believe in a first win in six games—only to have it ripped away by the England captain’s cool finish. The final whistle blew on a night that left 31,024 spectators stunned, Real Madrid clinging to the top of LaLiga, and Elche left wondering what might have been.
Elche’s Underdog Heroics Nearly Pay Off
Elche CF, managed by Eder Sarabia, came out in a disciplined 5-3-2, intent on stifling Real Madrid’s flair. It worked—until it didn’t. In the 53rd minute, Ángel Febas Pérez, a midfielder who’d spent years in Real Madrid’s youth academy, pounced on a backheel from teammate Valera and slotted past Thibaut Courtois. The stadium erupted. For the first time since September, Elche led in a league match. Their fans had waited months for this moment—and now, they dared to dream.
Real Madrid, under Carlo Ancelotti, looked disjointed. Kylian Mbappé was isolated, Vinícius Júnior hadn’t found space, and the midfield lacked rhythm. But Ancelotti didn’t panic. At the 57th minute, he made three changes: Vinícius replaced Rodrygo, Camavinga came on for Ceballos, and the team shifted shape. The substitution wasn’t just tactical—it was psychological. Elche’s David Affengruber, already on a yellow, was booked again moments later for a reckless challenge on Mbappé. The tension was rising.
Real Madrid’s Fightback Begins
Then, in the 78th minute, the equalizer came. A corner from Vinícius was half-cleared. The ball bounced off a defender’s shin, landed at the feet of Dean Huijsen, the 21-year-old Dutch center-back making his first LaLiga start, and he fired low into the net. The away bench exploded. Huijsen, who’d been criticized for his defensive lapses earlier in the season, had just become the unlikely hero.
But Elche didn’t fold. Just two minutes later, Álvaro Rodríguez, a former Real Madrid youth prospect now on loan from Atlético Madrid, came on as a substitute—and immediately changed the game. In the 84th minute, he received a through ball from Rafa Mir, turned sharply inside the box, and curled a left-footed shot past Courtois. The stadium was deafening. Elche led again. 2-1. Six games without a win? Over. This was their night.
The Twist: Bellingham’s Redemption
And then, three minutes later, came the twist no one saw coming.
Real Madrid launched one last attack. Mbappé drove into the box, drew two defenders, and slipped a pass to Bellingham, who’d been largely quiet all evening. The England captain, under pressure from two defenders, didn’t try to dance—he just stabbed the ball forward with his right foot. It squirmed through the legs of Elche’s goalkeeper Iñaki Peña and rolled into the net. The crowd fell silent. Bellingham sprinted to the corner, arms wide, screaming at the sky. The goal wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t flashy. But it was perfect.
"It’s the kind of goal you need when you’re fighting for the title," said Ancelotti after the match. "We weren’t at our best, but we never stopped believing. That’s what champions do."
Red Card, Extra Time, and a Draw That Matters
The drama didn’t end there. In the 96th minute, during the first minute of stoppage time, Elche’s captain Victor Chust received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Camavinga. The referee, Francisco Jose Hernandez Maeso, had no choice. With Elche down to 10 men and their legs heavy, Real Madrid pressed hard—but couldn’t find a winner.
The final whistle blew at 96:00. 2-2. Extra time wasn’t needed. The draw stood. And in the standings, it was everything.
Real Madrid now leads LaLiga with 29 points from 13 games, one clear of Barcelona, who lost 1-0 to Sevilla earlier in the day. Elche, meanwhile, remains in 14th place with 14 points—still in the relegation battle, but now with a new sense of what they’re capable of.
What This Means for the Title Race
This wasn’t just a point—it was a statement. Real Madrid didn’t win, but they didn’t lose either. In a season where every point is gold, that’s often more valuable. Bellingham’s goal marks his sixth league strike of the season, and his third in the final 10 minutes of matches. He’s becoming Real Madrid’s late-game insurance policy.
For Elche, the loss stings. They had the game won. They had the momentum. They had the home crowd. But in football, as in life, the margin between glory and heartbreak is often measured in seconds.
"We played with heart," said Sarabia. "We beat Real Madrid for 84 minutes. That’s more than we’ve done in years. We’ll learn from this."
Behind the Scenes: The Officials and the Atmosphere
The match was officiated by Francisco Jose Hernandez Maeso, with VAR support from Mario Melero López. The crowd of 31,024 was the largest Elche has seen since 2022. The stands were a sea of green and white, with banners reading "Elche No Se Rinde"—Elche Doesn’t Give Up. Even in defeat, the spirit was unbroken.
For Real Madrid, the win wasn’t about style. It was about survival. With the Champions League knockout stage looming, and injuries piling up in midfield, this draw might just be the most important result of their season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Jude Bellingham’s goal impact Real Madrid’s title chances?
Bellingham’s 87th-minute equalizer preserved Real Madrid’s one-point lead over Barcelona in LaLiga, keeping them at the summit with 29 points after 13 games. Without that goal, Barcelona would have moved level on points, and Real Madrid’s momentum would have stalled. His ability to deliver in crunch moments has become a defining trait of their title challenge this season.
Why was Victor Chust sent off, and what effect did it have?
Chust received a straight red card in the 96th minute for a reckless, two-footed tackle on Camavinga as Real Madrid pressed for a winner. With Elche down to 10 men, they were forced into defensive survival mode, unable to launch any meaningful attacks in the final minutes. The dismissal effectively ended any hope of a comeback win, though Elche held firm to preserve the draw.
What does this result mean for Elche CF’s season?
Despite the draw, Elche’s performance against Real Madrid was their best of the season. They showed they can compete with Europe’s elite, and Álvaro Rodríguez’s goal proved their attacking potential. But with 14 points and 10th place still out of reach, they remain in the relegation zone. This result may give them belief, but they need consistent wins—not just dramatic draws—to survive.
How did Dean Huijsen’s goal change the game?
Huijsen’s 78th-minute equalizer shifted the psychological balance. After Elche went up 2-1, Real Madrid looked exhausted. Huijsen’s goal—his first in LaLiga—reignited their belief and forced Elche to defend under pressure for the final 12 minutes. His composure under the spotlight was a revelation, especially after being criticized for defensive errors earlier in the campaign.
Was Carlo Ancelotti’s substitution strategy effective?
Yes. Ancelotti’s triple substitution at the 57th minute—bringing on Vinícius, Camavinga, and later Bellingham as a false nine—reshaped the attack and created the space needed for the equalizers. Vinícius’s pace stretched Elche’s backline, while Camavinga’s energy disrupted their midfield. The moves were reactive, not tactical, but they worked when it mattered most.
What’s next for Real Madrid and Elche in LaLiga?
Real Madrid face Girona in Matchday 14 on November 30, 2025, in a key clash against another title contender. Elche host Rayo Vallecano on the same day, needing a win to climb out of the relegation zone. Both teams have crucial fixtures ahead, but Real Madrid’s depth and experience give them the edge in the long run—while Elche’s fight, though admirable, may not be enough without reinforcements in January.