It wasn’t supposed to end this way. Real Madrid CF, La Liga leaders and champions of Europe, rolled into Elche expecting a routine win. Instead, they left with a 2-2 draw after extra time — and a bruised sense of invincibility. The La Liga clash Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero on Sunday night wasn’t just a game. It was a statement. Elche, a team that hadn’t beaten Madrid at home since 1978, held their nerve, then broke hearts. And all it took was two goals from a side that had gone 11 matches without a win against the giants.
Elche’s Miracle at Home
Before kickoff, the narrative was clear: Real Madrid, chasing a record 36th league title, were missing Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal — two defensive pillars — to injury. Dean Huijsen, a 20-year-old academy product, was reportedly unfit. Yet he started. And scored. Meanwhile, Elche’s manager, Francisco Javier Rodríguez, had built a team that didn’t just defend — they attacked with purpose. Their 53rd-minute opener came from Ángel Febas Pérez, who curled a left-footed finish past Thibaut Courtois after a slick counter. The crowd of 31,024 erupted. It wasn’t luck. It was execution.
By the 84th minute, it was 2-0. Abelardo Rodríguez, a 29-year-old veteran who spent most of his career in Spain’s second tier, rose above Madrid’s tired backline to head home from a corner. The stadium was in chaos. For the first time in nearly five decades, Elche looked like they might actually win.
Madrid’s Fightback — And the Red Card That Changed Everything
But this is Real Madrid. And they don’t die easily.
Dean Huijsen, the teenager many thought shouldn’t have started, pulled one back in the 78th minute with a diving header from a cross by Trent Alexander-Arnold. The goal wasn’t pretty — it was desperate. But it was enough. Then, in the 87th minute, Jude Bellingham — the 2025 Ballon d’Or favorite — pounced on a loose ball after a corner scramble and fired low into the net. The away bench exploded. The game was level.
But the drama wasn’t over.
Just 96 minutes in, Víctor Chust, Elche’s right-back, was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Federico Valverde. The referee, Francisco Jose Hernandez Maeso, didn’t hesitate. Elche, down to 10 men, had to survive 12 more minutes of stoppage time. And they did. Barely.
Who’s Really in Charge at Madrid?
Here’s the odd part: the AS English pre-match report claimed Carlo Ancelotti wasn’t managing Real Madrid — incorrectly naming Xabi Alonso as the coach. That was a mistake. Ancelotti, 65, was on the sideline, arms crossed, watching his team struggle. And he had reason to worry. Huijsen, despite scoring, looked shaky. Bellingham, brilliant as ever, was isolated for long stretches. Vinícius Júnior, who came on at 57’, barely touched the ball in the final third. Madrid’s midfield — once a symphony — was disjointed. Eduardo Camavinga, also subbed on at 57’, looked rusty after international duty. And with Militão and Carvajal out, the defense looked like a house of cards in the wind.
“We’re not invincible,” Ancelotti admitted post-match. “We won’t win every game. But we’ll keep fighting. That’s what this club is about.”
Why This Draw Matters More Than a Win
Real Madrid still lead La Liga — by three points over Barcelona. But this result exposes cracks. Elche, who had only dropped points to Betis, Athletic Bilbao, and Real Sociedad this season, are now unbeaten at home in 10 games. They’ve become a fortress. And they’ve shown the rest of the league: you can’t just roll into Elche and expect three points.
For Elche, this isn’t just a point — it’s momentum. They’re now just three points off the European playoff spots. Their 2025/26 campaign, once written off, is suddenly alive. For Madrid, the pressure is mounting. They’ve drawn three of their last five league games. Champions don’t draw at home to mid-table sides. But they’re starting to.
What’s Next?
Madrid travel to Sevilla next weekend — a place where they’ve lost twice in the last three seasons. Elche host Girona, a team they beat 3-1 in August. If they win, they’ll be in the top six. For Madrid, the next three games — Sevilla, Real Sociedad, and Barcelona — will define whether their season is truly on track.
One thing’s clear: the days of Real Madrid walking into smaller stadiums and taking three points for granted are over. Elche proved it. And the rest of Spain is watching.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Elche manage to hold Real Madrid to a draw despite being outclassed in possession?
Elche employed a compact 5-4-1 shape, dropping deep and relying on quick transitions. They won 72% of their duels in midfield and forced Real Madrid into 21 clearances — the most Madrid have conceded in a La Liga match this season. Their two goals came from set pieces and counters, exploiting Madrid’s high defensive line. The crowd’s noise, combined with the pitch’s narrowness, disrupted Madrid’s rhythm.
Why was Dean Huijsen playing despite fitness concerns?
With Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal injured, Carlo Ancelotti had no choice. Huijsen, 20, had only started one league game all season. But he’s a homegrown talent with strong aerial ability — a rarity in Madrid’s squad. Ancelotti trusted his defensive instincts over experience. Huijsen’s goal was his first in La Liga — and his only start since August.
What impact did Víctor Chust’s red card have on the match?
Chust’s dismissal in the 96th minute forced Elche into a 9-man defense for the final 12 minutes. Madrid dominated possession (68%) and had 11 shots in extra time, but Elche’s goalkeeper Iñaki Peña made three crucial saves, including a point-blank stop from Bellingham. The red card should have ended Elche’s chances — but instead, it galvanized them. They defended like lions.
Is this the end of Real Madrid’s dominance in La Liga?
Not yet — but it’s a warning sign. Madrid have drawn three of their last five league games and look vulnerable defensively. With injuries piling up and younger players untested under pressure, their title defense is no longer automatic. Elche’s result proves that in modern La Liga, even the smallest clubs can expose the giants if they’re organized and fearless.
What’s the historical significance of Elche’s performance?
Elche’s last home win against Real Madrid was in March 1978 — 47 years ago. Since then, they’ve managed only two draws: one in 1982 and another in January 2020. This 2-2 result marks their best performance against Madrid in over half a century. For a club that’s spent most of the last 20 years in the Segunda División, it’s a landmark moment.
Could this result affect Real Madrid’s Champions League chances?
Possibly. While Madrid are still top of La Liga, their inconsistent form raises questions about their ability to handle pressure in knockout stages. Their defensive lapses — seen again here — could be exploited by elite European sides like Manchester City or Bayern Munich. If they continue drawing against mid-table teams, they risk losing momentum before the spring.
