Credit: IMAGO / SOPA Images

Real Madrid Fight Back Twice in Dramatic Draw To Reclaim Top Spot

Credit: IMAGO / SOPA Images

Real Madrid were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at Elche on Sunday. Los Blancos came from behind twice in a chaotic second half that kept the La Liga title race finely poised. The result extended Madrid’s winless streak to three games in all competitions. But Xabi Alonso’s side still climbed back to the top of the table with 32 points, one ahead of Barcelona.

Elche delivered a spirited performance and pushed the league leaders to the brink. They struck first after the interval as they capitalised on Madrid’s sluggish start. Madrid were far from convincing but they still found a way to avoid defeat thanks to Jude Bellingham’s late intervention. The visitors created chances in the first half through Kylian Mbappe, but their defensive lapses and Elche’s sharp counterattacking left them playing catch-up for much of the second period.

👔 @XabiAlonso: "The team never gave up."
🎙️ Press conference ➡️ RM Play
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 23, 2025

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Huijsen and Bellingham Strike Late As Real Madrid Salvage Point

After a cagey first half, Elche stunned Madrid with a brilliantly constructed opener in the 53rd minute. German Varela provided the spark, threading a superb backheel pass into the feet of Aleix Febas inside the area. Febas took one touch and slotted past Thibaut Courtois via the post, rewarding the hosts’ crisp build-up play.

Madrid pushed forward but struggled to break Elche down until the 81st minute, when Huijsen reacted quickest to Bellingham’s knockdown following a corner. The centre-back stabbed the loose ball into the net to level the match. Just three minutes later, Alvaro Rodriguez produced a clinical finish from the edge of the box, meeting a precise through-ball and drilling low into the bottom corner to put Elche 2-1 up.

🏁 FT: @Elchecf_en 2-2 @RealMadridEN
⚽ 53' Febas
⚽ 78' @DHuijsen
⚽ 84' Álvaro
⚽ 87' @BellinghamJude
👉 @Emirates pic.twitter.com/ieVwfRkFj9
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 23, 2025

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With time running out, Madrid turned to Bellingham once more. The English midfielder drifted into the box in the 87th minute, meeting Mbappe’s cut-back with a composed finish to make it 2-2 and record his third goal in four league games. Elche’s Victor Chust was later sent off deep into stoppage time, but the hosts held firm to claim a valuable point. Alonso’s side will now turn their attention to a key Champions League trip to Olympiacos on Wednesday.

Elche

Jude Bellingham

La Liga

La Liga 2025-26

Real Madrid

Abhinav Goel

soccer

I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.