Jude Bellingham’s close-range strike three minutes from time denied Elche a first victory over Real Madrid in 47 years.
In a match which saw Xabi Alonso’s side frail at the back throughout, Elche twice took the lead in the second half with a fantastic back-heel from German Valera setting up skipper Aleix Febas to put them in front eight minutes after the break.
The equaliser came when Bellingham won an aerial challenge from a corner delivered by Trent Alexander-Arnold, starting his first game since September, and the ball dropped for defender Dean Huijsen to poke home.
It looked like Real would go on to take all three points but former Real striker, Alvaro Rodriguez minutes after coming on, restored the home side’s advantage with a fine run and shot though Thibaut Courtois will be disappointed to let in an effort which was a good distance from the corner.
The lead would only last three minutes as Bellingham, after seeing his initial effort parried, ran on to turn home the ball which Kylian Mbappe just managed to keep in play.
The win puts Real a point clear at the top above Barcelona, while Elche rise to 11th.
