Real Madrid Lose Control in Elche and Almost Throw Away Half the League

Real Madrid picked up a hard-fought victory at the Martínez Valero on Monday that felt more like a defeat. The visitors let a two-goal lead slip against Elche, and only a dramatic late strike prevented a stumble that would have handed half the league to Barcelona. The second half performance from José Mourinho's side was a display of disconnection that raises serious concerns just five days before the derby at the Metropolitano.

• Arda Güler and Mbappé made it 0-2 before the break with a dominant display.
• Elche fought back in a second half controlled almost entirely by the home side.
• Mourinho finished the match with three forwards: Mbappé, Endrick and Espí.
• Espí was once again the saviour after Real Madrid suffered badly in the final stages.
• The collective collapse comes right before the derby against Atlético de Madrid.

Brilliant First Half and Two Goals That Invited Optimism

Real Madrid started the game in Elche with energy and sharpness. Arda Güler, a starter in a line-up featuring up to five new faces, once again carried the team when the match needed a leader. The Turkish midfielder opened the scoring and Kylian Mbappé doubled the lead in a first half full of chances. Mourinho's men could have gone in at the break with a far bigger advantage, but poor finishing left the score at a misleading 0-2.

The early display was reminiscent of last Friday's performance against Rayo Vallecano, when the first act was close to excellent. In Elche, the feeling at half-time was one of total control. Nobody at the Martínez Valero could have imagined what was about to happen after the restart.

The Step Back That Set Alarm Bells Ringing

The break completely transformed Real Madrid. The team dropped deep, lost the initiative and turned the match into an Elche monologue. Arda disappeared, the rest of the white stars also faded, and the home side took full advantage of the invitation. Elche first pulled a goal back and then struck real fear into a visiting side overrun in every area of the pitch.

This was not just a physical issue, as Mourinho had argued after the Rayo match. This time the problem was football and attitude. The team gave up possession and tried to live off a counter-attack that never came to finish the game. Elche smelled blood and pushed hard for an equaliser that seemed only a matter of time.

Mourinho Goes All-In with a Triple Number Nine

With the match in full chaos, Mourinho turned to his bench and filled the pitch with attacking profiles. The Portuguese coach ended the game with a front three of Mbappé, Endrick and Espí. Brahim, who even played as a right-back during the most stressful moments, and Diomande also added spark in a wild finale.

The approach was risky, even desperate, but it came off once again. Elche kept pushing and every Real Madrid attack was a gift for the neutral spectator. The visitors were no longer in control. They were simply trying to survive a match that had slipped away from them.

Espí, Once Again Real Madrid's Lifeline

Just as he had done days earlier, Espí's instincts came to the rescue. The forward scored another decisive goal, this time turning a routine win into an epic one. His strike sparked wild celebrations on the away bench and masked a night that left far more shadows than light.

The joy of the result cannot hide the alarming signs from that second half. The team allowed a side fighting for survival to dominate them and came dangerously close to throwing away two vital points at the start of the season. Barcelona, flying under Hansi Flick, were set to host Racing with the clear intention of taking advantage of any Real Madrid slip.

What Is at Stake for Real Madrid in the Metropolitano Derby

The derby against Atlético de Madrid arrives at the worst possible moment emotionally. The second-half reaction in Elche raises questions about this Real Madrid side's ability to sustain a game plan for ninety minutes. The Metropolitano does not forgive gifts, especially to a team arriving with fragile confidence despite the win.

Mourinho will have to rebuild confidence and adjust his pieces in just a few days. The test against Atlético will reveal whether what happened in Elche was an accident or a worrying trend. With half the league at stake every matchday, Real Madrid cannot afford more lapses like the one on Monday night.