Real Madrid beat Elche 3-2 at Estadio Martínez Valero

The LaLiga encounter on 15 September 2026 pitted host Elche against a travelling Real Madrid side at the Estadio Martínez Valero. A lively crowd watched a high-octane contest that produced five goals, several bookings and a dramatic finish in the dying moments of regular time.

How it unfolded

The match opened with an early caution when Yan Diomande of Real Madrid was shown a yellow card in the fourth minute for a bad foul. The warning did not deter the visitors, and just before the half-hour mark an own-goal by Elche goalkeeper Matías Dituro gave Real Madrid a 1-0 lead. Four minutes later, Real Madrid doubled their advantage when Kylian Mbappé struck from the centre of the box, his right-footed shot finding the bottom right corner after a precise cross from Yan Diomande.

Elche responded in the second half. Marc Aguado of the home side received a yellow card in the 31st minute, but the team continued to press. Their efforts were rewarded in the 71st minute when Abiel Osorio headed home from very close range, the move set up by a Lucas Cepeda cross, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Two minutes later, Ibrahima Konaté of Real Madrid was booked for a bad foul, his caution coming in the 73rd minute.

The home side’s fightback continued as Lucas Cepeda, who had earlier provided the assist for Osorio, was himself cautioned in the 78th minute for a bad foul. Elche equalised in the 83rd minute when Fer Niño, operating from the right side of the box, fired a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner after a cross from Josan, bringing the score level at 2-2.

With the match poised on a knife-edge, Real Madrid found a winner in stoppage time. In the first minute of added time, Carlos Espí tapped home from very close range, his finish set up by a decisive assist from Kylian Mbappé, restoring the visitors’ lead to 3-2. The drama lingered as Josan received a yellow card for a bad foul in the 90+3 minute, followed shortly by another booking for Gonzalo Villar of Elche in the 90+4 minute.

Standout performers

  • Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – Scored the second goal and supplied the decisive assist for Carlos Espí, influencing both halves of the game.
  • Yan Diomande (Real Madrid) – Provided the cross for Mbappé’s 33rd-minute strike and was booked early, showing involvement on both ends.
  • Abiel Osorio (Elche) – Netted a crucial header in the 71st minute, giving the hosts belief after falling behind.
  • Lucas Cepeda (Elche) – Delivered the cross for Osorio’s goal and later received a booking, contributing both offensively and defensively.
  • Fer Niño (Elche) – Scored the equaliser with a well-placed shot from the right side of the box.
  • Josan (Elche) – Assisted the 83rd-minute goal and was later booked, playing a key part in the home side’s resurgence.
  • Carlos Espí (Real Madrid) – Wrapped up the win with a stoppage-time finish, his goal sealing the three-goal haul for the visitors.

Match facts

  • Final score: Elche 2-3 Real Madrid
  • Scorers:
    • Matías Dituro (own goal) – 25' (Real Madrid)
    • Kylian Mbappé – 33' (assist: Yan Diomande) (Real Madrid)
    • Abiel Osorio – 71' (assist: Lucas Cepeda) (Elche)
    • Fer Niño – 83' (assist: Josan) (Elche)
    • Carlos Espí – 90'+1' (assist: Kylian Mbappé) (Real Madrid)
  • Bookings:
    • Yan Diomande (Real Madrid) – 4'
    • Marc Aguado (Elche) – 31'
    • Ibrahima Konaté (Real Madrid) – 73'
    • Lucas Cepeda (Elche) – 78'
    • Josan (Elche) – 90'+3'
    • Gonzalo Villar (Elche) – 90'+4'
  • Venue: Estadio Martínez Valero, Elche

What it means

The result hands Real Madrid a hard-earned three-point victory in LaLiga, while Elche return home with a narrow defeat after a spirited comeback that fell just short in the final minutes.