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Espi snatches victory for Real Madrid in added time at Elche

Trailing 2-0 then level at 2-2, Real Madrid escaped with a win thanks to substitute Espi's goal in the 91st minute (2-3). Mbappé, who scored and provided an assist, was overshadowed by the young substitute.

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Espi snatches victory for Real Madrid in added time at Elche
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Real Madrid nearly threw it away before winning 3-2 away at Elche on Tuesday evening in La Liga, rescued by Espi in the 91st minute after squandering a two-goal advantage.

The Merengue had seemed to be controlling the match. A free kick from Arda Güler, ultimately credited to the opposing goalkeeper, and a seventh La Liga goal from Kylian Mbappé had put Real in the comfort of a 0-2 lead. But the second half told a different story: Abiel Osorio reduced the deficit in the 71st minute, before Fer Nino equalized in the 83rd on fine work from Thomas Lemar.

At 2-2 with the match able to swing either way, it was ultimately a substitute who decided it. Brought on in the 85th minute in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Espi scored the winning goal in the 91st from a Mbappé assist, denying Elche a deserved point.

In the Madrid ranks, Yan Diomandé delivered a standout performance. Started by José Mourinho, the 19-year-old Ivorian winger — signed for 140 million euros this summer — was rewarded with an assist on Mbappé’s goal. Aurélien Tchouameni also started the match, without being particularly prominent.

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