Quick Read
- Jude Bellingham scored a late equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw for Real Madrid against Elche.
- His goal kept Madrid at the top of La Liga, just one point above Barcelona.
- Bellingham also assisted Dean Huijsen for Madrid’s first equaliser.
- Reports suggest Bellingham is among five players unhappy with manager Xabi Alonso.
- Alonso continues to publicly praise Bellingham despite internal tensions.
Bellingham’s Late Goal Saves Real Madrid in Dramatic Elche Draw
Jude Bellingham is no stranger to pressure. On Sunday night, the England international once again proved his value, scoring an 87th-minute equaliser to rescue Real Madrid from defeat at Elche’s Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. The 2-2 draw sent Los Blancos back to the top of La Liga by a slender point, just above their fierce rivals Barcelona.
Real Madrid, under manager Xabi Alonso, found themselves chasing the game not once, but twice. Elche, sitting mid-table, refused to play the role of underdog, launching swift attacks that tested the limits of Madrid’s defense and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Aleix Febas opened the scoring for Elche eight minutes into the second half, sneaking past Trent Alexander-Arnold—a recent summer arrival still finding his feet after an injury layoff. Alexander-Arnold, praised for his attacking prowess, was caught out defensively, allowing Febas to slot home off the post. Madrid responded through Dean Huijsen, who prodded home after Bellingham’s deft headed pass—a testament to Bellingham’s all-round influence, even on a night when he was largely marked out of the game.
Alvaro Rodriguez restored Elche’s lead with a low drive from the edge of the box, but Madrid’s resilience shone through. In the 87th minute, Kylian Mbappe kept the ball alive on the byline, cutting it back for Bellingham to finish from close range. The goal marked Bellingham’s third in his last four La Liga appearances, reinforcing his reputation as a clutch performer.
Performance Under Pressure: Bellingham’s Influence Beyond Goals
Bellingham’s ability to deliver in crucial moments is hardly news for Madrid fans. But Sunday’s match highlighted another side of his game—adaptability. For 75 minutes, Elche managed to keep him quiet, but his two decisive contributions—a headed assist and a late goal—shifted the momentum just when it mattered most.
His teammates’ performances, however, painted a more complicated picture. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive lapses were offset by attacking contributions, while Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior struggled to impose themselves. Kylian Mbappe, though not at his brilliant best, still provided the assist for Bellingham’s equaliser.
Player ratings from Football Espana reflected this mixed showing: Bellingham received an 8, credited for his late-game impact, while others hovered around 6.5 or 6, underlining the team’s uneven form. Madrid’s bench, including Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde, offered little in terms of game-changing moments.
Locker Room Frictions: Alonso’s Management Tested
Yet the drama on the pitch was matched by tensions off it. Reports from Sports Mole and Mundo Deportivo reveal that Bellingham is among five key players unhappy with manager Xabi Alonso. The list includes Vinicius Jr, Valverde, Rodrygo, and Endrick—core members of the squad.
Bellingham’s frustration was evident not only at Madrid but also during his last England appearance, where he reacted angrily after being substituted by coach Thomas Tuchel. Such visible displays of emotion have drawn media scrutiny and triggered internal reviews. The underlying issue, it seems, is not a lack of ambition but a surplus of competitive egos vying for influence.
Despite these challenges, Alonso has publicly praised Bellingham, calling him “one of the most complete footballers in the world” and stressing the honor of having him in the squad. This duality—public admiration versus private tension—speaks to the complexities of managing a locker room packed with stars.
Madrid’s Title Push Faces External and Internal Tests
Madrid’s draw against Elche was more than just a missed opportunity for three points. It was a microcosm of their season: flashes of brilliance, periods of struggle, and a squad still searching for unity. Barcelona’s emphatic 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday narrowed the gap, reminding Madrid that their margin for error is thin.
Elche’s spirited performance—marked by slick moves, tenacity, and even a late red card for Victor Chust—showed that mid-table teams can still disrupt the title race. For Madrid, the immediate focus shifts to the Champions League clash against Olympiacos, but the bigger question looms: can Alonso reconcile his squad’s ambitions and personalities in time for the run-in?
Bellingham’s Role: More Than Just Goals
Bellingham’s game-changing interventions are invaluable, but his presence is about more than statistics. He bridges the midfield and attack, orchestrates transitions, and lifts teammates when stakes are high. Yet, as recent incidents suggest, leadership on the pitch must be matched by maturity off it.
The England midfielder’s journey—from a high-profile transfer to a focal point of Madrid’s tactical setup—has not been without bumps. Injury setbacks, form fluctuations, and now, reports of internal discord, have tested his resolve. For now, his late equaliser keeps Madrid ahead in the title chase, but the weeks ahead will demand both goals and diplomacy.
Jude Bellingham’s last-minute heroics underscore his value to Real Madrid, but the club’s internal tensions are a reminder that success in football is as much about harmony as it is about talent. With the league and Champions League still up for grabs, the next chapter will hinge on whether Madrid’s stars—and their manager—can truly unite behind a common goal.