Jude Bellingham delivered yet another crucial moment for Real Madrid, scoring an 87th-minute equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against a determined Elche side on Sunday. The result pushes Madrid back to the top of the La Liga table by one point, but it also exposed vulnerabilities that coach Xabi Alonso will need to address as the season intensifies.

Madrid Forced to Rally Twice in Hard-Fought Encounter

Real Madrid arrived at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero expecting a tough battle, and Elche delivered exactly that. The hosts, solidly mid-table but in excellent recent form, pressured the league leaders throughout the match and twice moved ahead before being reeled back in.

Elche struck first through Aleix Febas, who capitalised on a defensive lapse early in the second half. Madrid responded through Dean Huijsen, but Elche regained the lead late when Álvaro Rodríguez stunned the visitors with a sharp finish from distance.

Just when it looked as if Madrid were heading for their second league defeat of the campaign, Bellingham stepped up once more. After Kylian Mbappé kept a loose ball in play near the byline, Bellingham pounced from close range to secure a dramatic draw.

Barcelona Keep the Pressure On

Madrid’s draw briefly widened their lead at the top, but rivals Barcelona closed the gap after a dominant 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao a day earlier. With only a point now separating the Spanish giants, the title race remains extremely tight heading into December.

Alexander-Arnold Returns, Rodrygo Starts, Vinicius Benched

The match saw several notable lineup decisions from Alonso.

• Trent Alexander-Arnold earned his first start since August after recovering from injury.
• Rodrygo Goes was given a rare start ahead of Vinicius Junior, who remained on the bench until the second half.

Alexander-Arnold, still shaking off rust from his long absence, was partially responsible for Elche’s opener when Febas slipped behind him to score. However, the England international redeemed himself with a key involvement in Madrid’s first equaliser—whipping in the corner that eventually found Huijsen.

Elche Continue Strong Form Against Big Clubs

Elche have impressed in recent weeks, having already pushed Barcelona in a close match. On Sunday, they caused Madrid problems with quick transitions and creative buildup play.

Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was called into action early, producing an important stop to deny André da Silva. Later, former Barcelona goalkeeper Iñaki Peña delivered a standout performance for Elche, twice thwarting Mbappé in the first half.

In the second half, a stylish backheel assist from Germán Valera set up Febas to strike the opener. Elche’s second came when Álvaro Rodríguez caught Courtois off guard with a driven strike from outside the box.

Bellingham: Decisive Again Despite Off-Field Spotlight

Bellingham had been the subject of attention earlier in the week following his frustration at being substituted by England manager Thomas Tuchel during international duty. Though he wasn’t at his dominant best in Elche, the midfielder still played a decisive role in both Madrid goals—an indication of his importance even on quieter days.

Madrid’s Title Charge Continues

The draw extends Real Madrid’s unbeaten league run and keeps them narrowly ahead of Barcelona. However, the performance raises questions about defensive organisation and midfield balance—issues Alonso will likely address as the season progresses.

With Bellingham continuing to deliver in big moments and the squad returning to full fitness, Real Madrid remain strong contenders. But Sunday’s match served as a reminder that every point will be hard-earned in this year’s competitive La Liga race.