Should the Real Madrid equaliser against Elche have been cancelled for the foul on Inaki Pena

The match itself was played at high intensity and Elche showed why they are among the best possession sides in the league behind only Real Madrid and Barcelona. Both keepers produced superb saves in the first half and it finished at 0-0 after 45 minutes. Madrid faithful were left a bit stunned not to see Vini starting and Fran running down the left wing instead. Xabi opted for Mbappe and Rodrygo to start up front.

Elche took the lead early in the second half with a beautifully crafted move that involved a clever back heel from German and a twenty two pass sequence before Febas applied the finish. It was one of the finest team goals of the season.

Xabi Alonso turned to his bench and brought on Vinicius, Gonzalo Garcia, Camavinga and Brahim later on. Real equalised from a corner as Trent Alexander Arnold delivered an inviting ball that eventually found Jude Bellingham before Huisen guided it in.
Elche struck back through former Real striker Alvaro Rodriguez who punished slow defending with a sharp finish. Real pushed late and found their second equaliser in controversial fashion through Bellingham, but the manner of the goal will dominate the discussion.
Xabi’s side have now dropped points in consecutive league matches and the title race is tightening with Real on 31 points, Barcelona on 30, Villarreal on 29 and Atletico Madrid on 28.