Real Madrid Held to Controversial Draw Against Elche

Real Madrid held to a draw after late Jude Bellingham goal

Real Madrid were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Elche at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, with Jude Bellingham’s late equaliser sparking controversy that continues to infuriate Elche two days after the final whistle. The La Liga clash saw Xabi Alonso’s side come from behind twice, yet the result was overshadowed by heated protests from Elche’s players and coaching staff over what they deemed a “clear foul” in the build-up to the final goal.

Real Madrid’s Late Equaliser Sparks Furious Reactions

After a goalless first half, the match exploded into life in the second period. Elche captain Aleix Febas, a former Real Madrid youth product, broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, putting the hosts ahead with a well-worked goal. Real Madrid’s young defender Dean Huijsen responded in the 78th minute, scoring his debut goal for Los Blancos to level the score.

Elche, determined to claim a famous win, struck back quickly. Substitute Alvaro Rodriguez, another player with Madrid ties, restored the home side’s advantage just six minutes later. However, the final act of drama came in the 87th minute, when Jude Bellingham found the net after a goalmouth scramble.

Controversy Over Bellingham’s Equaliser

The equalising goal, though, was immediately surrounded by controversy. Elche’s players and head coach Eder Sarabia vociferously protested a challenge by Vinicius Junior on Elche goalkeeper Inaki Pena during the build-up. The contact left Pena bleeding from the nose, yet neither the referee nor VAR saw reason to disallow the goal. The decision left Elche’s camp enraged.

“It’s a clear foul. Not a normal part of the game. That’s what VAR is for,” Sarabia fumed after the game. “It hits the goalkeeper and even draws blood. It’s crystal clear.” He also acknowledged Pena’s sportsmanship, noting, “It’s to Inaki’s credit that he said it was a normal part of the game, but it really wasn’t.”

Sarabia Takes Protests to Social Media

The Elche coach did not confine his displeasure to the post-match press conference. Sarabia took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the refereeing, arguing that the concept of “intentionality” is outdated in modern football. “For more than 25 years now, voluntariness/intentionality has been removed from the regulations (except for hands). The fact that an action is ‘fortuitous’ is not a correct argument for deciding whether it is an infraction,” he wrote, highlighting his frustration with the officials’ interpretation.

Real Madrid Held to Draw Amid Poor Run of Form

The draw extends Real Madrid’s winless run to three games in all competitions, a rare slump for the Spanish giants. Nonetheless, head coach Xabi Alonso rejected any notion of crisis. “We haven’t fallen apart,” Alonso told reporters. “That’s football. We’re not happy with the results, but the team never gave up. The direction is clear, the spirit remains good and we have to respond in the face of adversity.”

Alonso emphasized the importance of unity and self-criticism, adding that the team is striving to improve and will look to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming fixtures. “The connection is improving because we have more time; we interact more. We’re all in the same boat. We celebrate victories, we suffer, as we did today, and we’re not happy when we don’t get the desired result.”

What’s Next for Real Madrid and Elche?

Despite their recent stumbles, Real Madrid maintain a slender one-point lead over Barcelona in La Liga and remain in a strong position in the Champions League. The club will now travel to Greece to face Olympiacos, followed by a critical league encounter against Girona.

Elche, meanwhile, will look to build on their spirited performance, hoping that their sense of injustice can fuel their fight for safety in the top flight. For more news and the latest football updates, visit for more news.

Opinion: VAR Controversies Continue to Overshadow Football’s Drama

Incidents like the one in Elche versus Real Madrid serve as a stark reminder that VAR, rather than clarifying decisions, can often deepen controversies. While Real Madrid’s resilience deserves praise, the frustration of Elche and their supporters is understandable. Consistency and transparency in officiating remain crucial if football is to maintain its integrity and excitement.