Real Madrid snatched a victory against Elche with a score of 3:2 thanks to a goal from Carlos Espi in stoppage time. It seemed that Jose Mourinho's team was confidently leading, but in the second half everything nearly collapsed.
In the first half the visitors dominated: an own goal by Matias Dituro and a precise strike by Kylian Mbappe after a pass from Yan Diomande made the score 0:2. The "Los Blancos" looked organized, while Elche, sitting in last place with two points after six rounds, could not offer any resistance.
However, after the break the picture changed. The hosts increased the pressure, and Abiel Osorio reduced the deficit with a header. Twelve minutes later Fer Nino equalized. Real lost control of the game, allowing the underdog to get back into the match.
Mourinho responded with substitutions: Carlos Espi and Endrick came onto the pitch. It was the 21-year-old Espi, already for the second time this season coming on as a substitute and scoring the winning goal in the closing stages, who took advantage of a pass from Mbappe and sent the ball into an empty net in the 90+1th minute.
This victory took Real to first place in the La Liga table alongside Barcelona, but it exposed a serious problem: the team does not know how to preserve a lead in the second half. Just as in ordinary life, when confidence in success makes one relax and lose control, so here too — an early lead turned into a nervous ending.
Ahead lies the derby with Atletico, and Mourinho will have to decide how to restore the team's discipline for the entire match, and not only for the first 45 minutes.
