Espí saves Real Madrid once again in stoppage time
The striker's goal in the 91st minute secured the win for Madrid, which took a 0-2 lead in a strong first half but lost focus after halftime. Osorio and Fer Niño tied the game for Elche, which ultimately gave in at the end
C arlos Espí scored in stoppage time after a nifty move by Jude Bellingham and an assist by Kylian Mbappé to help Real Madrid salvage a 3-2 win at Elche in the Spanish league after it relinquished a two-goal lead on Tuesday. Bellingham used a neat long touch to get past an opponent near midfield and fed Mbappé in a breakaway into the area, and the France star quickly set up Espí's close-range score to give Madrid the victory and move the Spanish powerhouse even on points with Barcelona. The defending champion can regain the lead when it hosts promoted Racing Santander on Wednesday. Madrid had taken the lead against Elche with an own-goal by Matías Dituro in the 25th, then Mbappé added to the lead by scoring from close range after an assist by Yan Diomande in the 33rd. Abiel Osorio pulled the hosts closer with a header in the 71st and Fer Niño netted the equalizer in the 83rd. There was a bit of a scare immediately after Mbappé scored as he stayed on the ground in visible pain, but he eventually returned to the field after being attended by Madrid doctors.
