Real Madrid Held to Draw by Elche in La Liga Clash

Real Madrid faced Elche in a La Liga match on November 23, 2025, resulting in a 2-2 draw that extended Madrid's winless streak to three games across all competitions. Despite the draw, Real Madrid maintained a precarious one-point lead over Barcelona at the top of the La Liga standings. The match featured two lead changes, with Jude Bellingham scoring a late equalizer for Madrid.

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The first half ended goalless, despite several opportunities for both teams. Kylian Mbappé missed two significant chances, while Thibaut Courtois made crucial saves to deny Elche's Rafa Mir and André Silva. The deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute when Elche's Aleix Febas scored following a backheel assist from Germán Valera. Real Madrid responded in the 78th minute with Dean Huijsen equalizing after a corner kick, but Elche regained the lead just three minutes later through Álvaro Rodríguez. Bellingham's equalizer in the 87th minute salvaged a point for Madrid, following a clever assist from Mbappé.

ESPNSports IllustratedReal Madrid player ratings vs Elche: Jude Bellingham to the rescue! England international snatches late draw as Xabi Alonso's side drop points in wild stalemateThe GuardianNumbers Narrative: Elche 2-2 Real Madrid

Real Madrid's performance was characterized by a lack of creativity and defensive lapses. Coach Xabi Alonso's decision to bench Vinícius Júnior in favor of Rodrygo was met with criticism, as the team struggled to find rhythm. Madrid's possession statistics improved over the match, finishing with 54% possession and a total expected threat (xT) of 6.61 compared to Elche's 4.56. However, their inability to convert chances into goals was evident, with notable misses from Mbappé and Rodrygo.

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Jude Bellingham emerged as a standout player for Real Madrid, contributing a goal and an assist, while Trent Alexander-Arnold provided significant service throughout the match. Elche's Aleix Febas and Álvaro Rodríguez also delivered strong performances, with Febas scoring the opening goal and Rodríguez netting the second. Courtois's goalkeeping was critical in keeping Madrid in the game, making several key saves.

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Following the match, Xabi Alonso expressed disappointment with the team's performance, stating, "We aren't happy, because we always want to win... but we want to improve." He acknowledged the need for self-criticism and emphasized the importance of maintaining team spirit despite recent results.

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Critics highlighted Alonso's tactical decisions, particularly the choice to start Rodrygo over Vinícius Júnior, which some argued limited Madrid's attacking potential. The team's lack of urgency and creativity in the final third drew scrutiny from analysts and fans alike.

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Real Madrid will need to regroup as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures, aiming to regain form and extend their lead in La Liga. The team faces a challenging schedule ahead, with several key matches that will test their resilience and tactical adaptability.

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• “We aren't happy, because we always want to win.” — Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid Coach

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• “It's football. After a good run, now we've had some results that aren't what we want,” — Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid Coach

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• “It only took two passes, a quick interchange to take two Madrid defenders out of play before Aleix Febas poked past a diving Courtois.” — Match Report Summary

Real Madrid player ratings vs Elche: Jude Bellingham to the rescue! England international snatches late draw as Xabi Alonso's side drop points in wild stalemate

This match serves as a critical juncture for Real Madrid, highlighting areas for improvement as they navigate the competitive landscape of La Liga.

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