Real Madrid’s once-dominant start to the 2025-2026 season unraveled further Sunday night at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero in Elche, where a dramatic 2-2 draw with the struggling hosts extended their winless run to three matches. The result, sealed by Jude Bellingham’s 87th-minute equalizer, wasn’t just a point gained—it was a lifeline in a season that’s suddenly lost its sheen. After winning 13 of their first 14 games, Real Madrid now sit just one point ahead of Barcelona, who crushed Athletic Bilbao 4-0 the night before. The pressure isn’t just mounting—it’s already on the door.
A Comeback That Felt Like a Collapse
It started with a fluke. In the 53rd minute, Aleix Febas’s cross from the left curled toward goal, glanced off the post, and bounced past Thibaut Courtois like it had a mind of its own. Elche, winless in six league games since October 5, were suddenly leading. The crowd roared. Real Madrid, meanwhile, looked like a team still half-asleep after the international break. Then came the response. Dean Huijsen, the 20-year-old defender who’d barely featured this season, rose unmarked from a corner in the 78th minute and slammed home his first goal for the club. The equalizer sparked hope. But hope is a fragile thing in Elche. Just six minutes later, former Real Madrid youth product Álvaro Rodríguez cut inside from the right, burned his old teammate Eder Militão, and slotted a low shot past Courtois. 2-1. The home fans were in disbelief—and then ecstasy.Bellingham to the Rescue—Again
Enter Jude Bellingham. Three minutes after Elche’s go-ahead goal, he was in the right place at the right time. A slick one-two between Kylian Mbappé and Huijsen sent the ball into the box. Bellingham, unmarked, poked it home from two yards out. No celebration. Just a nod. He’s done this before—against Liverpool, against Bayern, against Atlético. But this one felt different. It wasn’t a statement. It was a survival instinct. Elche appealed for a foul on Iñaki Peña during the build-up, but VAR saw nothing. The referee waved play on. The video replay showed Vinícius Júnior’s shoulder brushing the goalkeeper’s arm—but it was minimal. No penalty. No red. Just another twist in a match that refused to follow the script.What’s Going Wrong at Real Madrid?
The numbers tell a story. Before this run, Real Madrid had won 13 of 14 matches across all competitions. Now, they’ve drawn twice and lost once. Their midfield—once a symphony of control—is disjointed. Federico Valverde looked off the pace. Aurélien Tchouaméni was out of position too often. And Mbappé? He had chances, but his decision-making in the final third remains erratic. He passed instead of shooting in the 72nd minute. That’s not arrogance. That’s confusion. Manager Xabi Alonso didn’t mince words after the match. "The team continues to compete. The results and our game could be better. We are self-critical but the team's spirit remains good. We must persevere in the face of adversity. This is Real Madrid, we have to live with criticism." It’s a line he’s used before—but this time, it rang hollow. Because criticism isn’t just coming from fans. It’s coming from the board. From former players. From the Champions League group stage standings.
Elche’s Grit and the Bigger Picture
For Elche, this was more than a draw. It was validation. They hadn’t won since October 5. Their squad is thin, their budget among the lowest in La Liga. Yet they held their nerve. Goalkeeper Iñaki Peña made three critical stops, including a reflex parry of Rodrygo’s close-range effort. And when Víctor Chust got a second yellow in the 96th minute, it wasn’t out of frustration—it was out of exhaustion. They gave everything. Meanwhile, the rest of La Liga kept moving. Atlético Madrid won their fifth straight, with Koke reaching 700 appearances. Barcelona, fresh off their 4-0 win, now sit just behind Real Madrid on goal difference. The title race isn’t over—it’s just gotten interesting.What’s Next?
Real Madrid’s next test comes Wednesday in Piraeus, against Olympiakos in the Champions League. Lose, and they’re in danger of dropping to third in their group. Win, and the narrative shifts—but only slightly. The defense still leaks. The midfield still drifts. The confidence? It’s fraying. Elche, meanwhile, host Rayo Vallecano next Sunday. They’ve got nothing to lose. And sometimes, that’s when teams play their best football.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Real Madrid struggling after such a strong start?
Real Madrid’s early dominance was fueled by a perfect blend of tactical discipline and individual brilliance. But since the international break, fatigue, rotation issues, and defensive lapses have crept in. Key players like Valverde and Tchouaméni haven’t returned to peak form, and Mbappé’s integration into the system remains incomplete. The team is over-reliant on Bellingham for late goals, a sign of deeper structural problems.
How significant is Bellingham’s goal-scoring record this season?
Jude Bellingham has scored 11 goals in 16 appearances this season, including five in the last three matches. He’s now Real Madrid’s top scorer in all competitions and has netted in four consecutive games. His ability to score in the 85th minute or later—now five times this season—makes him the team’s most reliable finisher under pressure, but it also highlights how often they’re forced into reactive football.
What does this result mean for the La Liga title race?
Real Madrid still lead by one point over Barcelona, but the gap is narrowing fast. With Barcelona scoring four goals in their last two matches and Atlético on a five-match winning streak, the title race has turned into a three-horse contest. Real Madrid’s inability to win away from home this season (now 0-2-1 in away league games) could prove fatal if they can’t turn things around before the January transfer window.
Why did Xabi Alonso rotate so many players?
Alonso rotated heavily after a grueling international break and a midweek Champions League fixture. He rested Courtois, Modrić, and Camavinga, giving minutes to Huijsen, Rodríguez, and Valverde. But the gamble backfired: the defense looked disjointed, and the midfield lacked control. The rotation wasn’t the issue—it was the lack of tactical clarity in the substitutions. Players weren’t told how to adapt to the system changes.
Is Elche’s performance a sign of a turnaround?
Elche’s 2-2 draw against Real Madrid isn’t a miracle—it’s a sign of growth. They’ve tightened defensively under new manager David Gallego, and players like Febas and Rodríguez are showing confidence. With only five points from their last six games before this match, they were on the brink of relegation. Now, they’re just three points from safety. If they can replicate this intensity against lower-table sides, survival is possible.
What’s the biggest concern for Real Madrid moving forward?
The biggest concern isn’t the draw—it’s the pattern. Real Madrid are now losing or drawing matches they should be winning by two or more goals. Their pressing has collapsed. Their transitions are slow. And without a consistent goal threat beyond Bellingham, they’re vulnerable. If they don’t fix their defensive organization and midfield cohesion before the Olympiakos match, they risk falling out of the Champions League knockout spots entirely.
