Bellingham's 87th-Minute Equalizer Saves Real Madrid from Shock 2-2 Draw Against Elche
When Real Madrid CF needed a win to silence growing doubts, they got a draw that felt like a loss — and somehow, still a victory. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero in Elche, Spain, the giants of European football were held to a stunning 2-2 draw by a spirited Elche CF side, in a match that swung wildly in the final 35 minutes. The result stretched Real Madrid’s winless run to three games, but kept them top of LaLiga — barely — ahead of FC Barcelona. What happened after the 53rd minute? Pure chaos. And brilliance. And heartbreak.
Elche’s Surprise Lead and Real Madrid’s Struggles
For 52 minutes, Real Madrid looked like a team still shaking off the rust of the international break. Their passing was sluggish. Their movement predictable. Then, in the 53rd minute, Febas, Elche’s unheralded midfielder, pounced. A backheel from Valera found him in the six-yard box, and he slotted it past Thibaut Courtois like he’d done it a hundred times. The home crowd, packed into the 33,732-seat stadium on Avenida de Portugal, erupted. This wasn’t just a goal — it was a statement. Elche hadn’t beaten Real Madrid since 2013. Now, they were on the brink.
Real Madrid’s manager, Xabi Alonso, 42, responded with urgency. He brought on Vinícius Júnior in the 60th minute, hoping the Brazilian’s pace would unlock Elche’s compact defense. But instead of shooting, Vinícius chose to cross to Kylian Mbappé in the 72nd minute — a decision that drew groans from the stands. The ball was cleared. The moment passed. And Elche, smelling blood, held firm.
The Rollercoaster: Equalizer, Counter, and Heartbreak
Then, in the 78th minute, everything changed. A corner kick from Real Madrid was half-cleared. The ball bounced wildly in the penalty area. And there, at the far post, stood 20-year-old defender Dean Huijsen — a youth product from the Netherlands, barely a starter a month ago. He poked it home. 1-1. The away bench exploded. The Elche fans fell silent.
But the drama wasn’t done.
Six minutes later, in the 84th, Álvaro Rodríguez, a former Real Madrid academy star who left for Elche in 2022, turned on a dime, beat Fran García, and fired a low, screaming shot from 20 yards that crashed into the top corner. The stadium shook. Elche’s first win in six games was within reach. Their first victory over Real Madrid in over a decade? Almost real.
Then, the twist.
Bellingham’s Miracle and the Aftermath
Three minutes later, Real Madrid won a free kick just outside the box. The delivery was poor — a looping, hopeful ball into the six-yard area. Elche’s defense panicked. No one cleared it. And then, in a flash, Jude Bellingham, 21, the English captain whose presence alone has redefined Real Madrid’s midfield, was there. He didn’t leap. Didn’t dive. Just poked it in. The ball trickled under Edgar Badía, who was already on the ground, blood trickling from his nose after a collision with Huijsen moments before. He appealed for a foul. No whistle. Just silence — then a roar.
Final score: 2-2.
Real Madrid’s winless streak hit three matches — their longest since early 2023. But they still sit atop LaLiga. Why? Because FC Barcelona lost 3-1 to Sevilla the same day. In football, survival isn’t always about winning. Sometimes, it’s about who else loses.
Who’s to Blame? Who’s to Celebrate?
Alonso’s substitutions made sense — but his team lacked rhythm. Mbappé had one clear chance. Vinícius was electric but inconsistent. The backline, led by Huijsen’s heroics, looked shaky. And yet, they clawed back twice. That’s the DNA of this Real Madrid team: never dead until the final whistle.
Elche, meanwhile, played like champions. Their organization, their grit, their belief — all remarkable. Álvaro Rodríguez’s goal was a poetic betrayal. Febas’s strike was pure instinct. And their fans? They left with their heads high, even in defeat.
Statistically, the numbers were wild: Elche had won three of their last six home games. Real Madrid had won 10 of their previous 12 across all competitions. This wasn’t an upset. It was a reckoning.
What’s Next?
Real Madrid’s next match is expected to be a midweek Champions League clash — likely against Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain — followed by a home game against Atlético Madrid on December 1. Alonso knows he must fix the midfield’s lack of control. Bellingham can’t be the only one carrying the load.
For Elche? They’ll look back at this as a turning point. They didn’t win. But they proved they belong.
Behind the Scenes
The Real Madrid CF headquarters, at Avenida de Concha Espina in Madrid, is presided over by Florentino Pérez Rodríguez, 78. The club, founded in 1902, has 35 LaLiga titles and 14 Champions League trophies. Elche CF, founded in 1923, has only one Segunda División title and returned to LaLiga in 2020 after a nine-year absence. Their president, Mariano Pascual Martínez, 52, has quietly built a team that punches above its weight.
The match was streamed globally via RM PLAY, with highlights uploaded to Real Madrid’s YouTube channel. The goals came at 1:30, 1:49, 2:17, and 2:22 in the official highlights — a testament to how packed those final 35 minutes were.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Real Madrid’s winless streak matter even though they’re still top of LaLiga?
Real Madrid’s three-match winless run is their longest since early 2023, raising questions about their consistency. But they remain top because rivals like Barcelona lost. In LaLiga, points are everything — not momentum. Still, if they don’t start winning convincingly, the gap to Barcelona could shrink fast, especially with Madrid’s Champions League schedule heating up.
How significant was Jude Bellingham’s goal for Real Madrid’s season?
Bellingham’s 87th-minute equalizer wasn’t just a goal — it was a season-defining moment. With 12 goals and 8 assists this season, he’s now Real Madrid’s most reliable finisher in tight games. His composure under pressure, especially after a tough international break, reinforces his status as the team’s new heartbeat. Without it, they’d have dropped points to Sevilla and Atlético, putting them in serious danger.
What does this result mean for Elche CF’s survival hopes in LaLiga?
For Elche, this performance is a lifeline. After winning just one of their first six games, their 3 wins in the last 6 home matches show they’re turning into a tough out. If they can replicate this level of intensity against mid-table sides like Girona or Villarreal, they’ll comfortably avoid relegation. This match proved they can compete with the giants — and that’s priceless for morale and fan support.
Why did Vinícius Júnior pass instead of shoot in the 72nd minute?
Vinícius, known for his dribbling, often looks to set up Mbappé — who’s been Real Madrid’s most clinical finisher this season. But in this case, the pass was poorly timed. Elche’s defense was compact, and the chance was better taken by Vinícius himself. Analysts say it reflects his growing awareness, but also his hesitation in high-pressure moments. His decision wasn’t wrong — just poorly executed.
Is Dean Huijsen now a permanent starter for Real Madrid?
Huijsen’s goal was his first for Real Madrid’s senior team, and his defensive discipline in the second half earned praise from Alonso. With Éder Militão injured and Nacho Fernández aging, Huijsen’s versatility — he can play center-back or right-back — makes him a valuable option. He’s not guaranteed a starter spot yet, but this performance has earned him a regular rotation role, especially in away games where physicality matters.
What’s the historical significance of Elche vs. Real Madrid matches?
Elche’s last win over Real Madrid was in 2013 — a 2-1 home victory in LaLiga. Since then, Real Madrid have won 12 and drawn 3 of the 15 meetings. Elche’s return to LaLiga in 2020 reignited the rivalry, but they’d lost their last three encounters by an aggregate score of 11-1. This 2-2 draw was their most competitive result in over a decade, signaling a new chapter for the club — and a warning to Madrid that no team is easy anymore.
