When Real Madrid Club de Fútbol stumbled to a 2-2 draw against Elche Club de Fútbol on Sunday, November 23, 2025, it wasn’t just another draw — it was a wake-up call wrapped in chaos. Played at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero in Elche, Spain, the match ended with Jude Bellingham rescuing a point in the 87th minute, but the real story was how close Real Madrid came to a historic upset. With injuries decimating their defense and manager Xabi Alonso making baffling lineup choices, the defending champions looked anything but dominant. And yet — somehow — they still sit atop LaLiga. How? Because even when they’re broken, they’re still better than everyone else.
Unusual Lineup, Unusual Results
Xabi Alonso’s starting XI looked like a puzzle assembled blindfolded. He benched Vinícius Júnior — a decision that sent shockwaves through fans — and started Rodrygo Goes instead. Fran García and Dani Ceballos were slotted into midfield, while Dean Huijsen, a 20-year-old center-back, started alongside Raúl Asencio. The absence of Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, and Aurélien Tchouameni forced Alonso to gamble. And for 53 minutes, it looked like a disaster.Elche, who hadn’t beaten Real Madrid since 1978, came out with fire. Their coach’s pre-match claim — “we believe we can do something historic” — wasn’t bravado. It was a blueprint. Aleix Febas smashed home the opener after a backheel from Germán Valera, catching Thibaut Courtois off guard. Real Madrid’s defense, already thin, looked rattled. The 233-minute goal drought? It was real. And it was getting longer.
The Turning Point: Huijsen’s Heroics
Alonso reacted in the 57th minute — three substitutions at once. Vinícius Júnior finally entered, replacing Rodrygo. Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga came on to inject energy. But the real magic came from an unlikely source. In the 78th minute, a corner from Jude Bellingham was flicked on by the midfielder. The ball bounced off a defender, then a post, then landed at the feet of Dean Huijsen. He didn’t hesitate. One touch. One shot. Goal.Huijsen’s first goal for Real Madrid earned him an 8.0 rating from Sports Illustrated — a rare honor for a defender in a match like this. But his performance was a rollercoaster. He was brilliant on the goal. He was lost on Elche’s second. That’s the paradox of this Real Madrid side right now: flashes of brilliance buried under systemic fragility.
Elche’s Gut-Punch and Bellingham’s Redemption
Just three minutes after Huijsen’s equalizer, Elche struck again. Álvaro Rodríguez, a former Real Madrid academy product, slotted home against his old club. The stadium erupted. The away fans fell silent. It felt like history was being written — Elche’s first win over Los Blancos in nearly 50 years.But Real Madrid, even when wounded, refuses to die. In the 87th minute, Jude Bellingham received the ball 25 yards out, turned, and fired. The shot dipped under the crossbar. No celebration. No theatrics. Just a clenched fist. He knew what this meant: survival.
It was his 11th goal of the season. His fourth in the last three matches. And it was the only reason Real Madrid didn’t leave Elche with their first league loss since August.
Why This Draw Matters More Than a Win
Real Madrid now have 31 points from 13 games — one more than Barcelona. That’s not dominance. That’s resilience. They’ve won just two of their last five matches. They’ve gone 233 minutes without scoring. Their defense has conceded in four straight games. Yet they’re still top of LaLiga.That’s because the rest of the league is worse. Barcelona drew 1-1 with Atlético Madrid the same day. Real Sociedad lost. Sevilla collapsed. In a league where consistency is king, Real Madrid are the kings of barely hanging on.
And here’s the twist: Xabi Alonso’s strange choices might be working. Benchings aren’t punishments — they’re experiments. Vinícius Júnior was rested because the team needed balance. Bellingham was pushed forward because Elche left space. Huijsen started because there was no one else. This isn’t chaos. It’s adaptation.
What’s Next? The Road to the Winter Break
With the international break behind them, Real Madrid now face a critical stretch: four games in 18 days, including a home clash with Atlético Madrid and a trip to Sevilla. Alonso will need to decide whether to stick with his makeshift backline or reintroduce the injured stars. Will Rüdiger return? Will Carvajal be fit for the derby? The answers will define whether this season is a title defense — or a slow-motion collapse.One thing’s certain: Real Madrid aren’t playing like champions. But they’re still winning like them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Xabi Alonso bench Vinícius Júnior?
Alonso opted for a more balanced midfield, starting Dani Ceballos and Fran García to control possession against Elche’s aggressive press. Vinícius was rested after a heavy schedule and brought on as a late change to add pace. It was a tactical gamble — not a punishment — and it paid off when he created chances after entering.
How significant is Dean Huijsen’s goal for Real Madrid?
Huijsen’s goal was historic — his first for the club and only the second by a Real Madrid center-back in LaLiga this season. At 20, he’s become a surprise starter due to injuries, and his composure under pressure suggests he could be a long-term solution at center-back, especially with Militão and Rüdiger sidelined.
What does this result mean for Real Madrid’s title chances?
Despite the poor form, Real Madrid still lead LaLiga by one point. Their ability to scrape draws — even when playing poorly — keeps them ahead of rivals. But if they can’t fix their defensive lapses and goal drought, their lead will vanish. Three straight draws aren’t sustainable — but they’re not fatal, either.
Why did Elche’s historic win attempt fail?
Elche played brilliantly for 80 minutes and deserved the win. But Real Madrid’s experience in high-pressure moments — especially through Bellingham — proved decisive. Elche’s lack of top-tier squad depth showed in the final 10 minutes, when they couldn’t hold off the pressure. Their dream of a first win over Real Madrid since 1978 remains alive — but not yet realized.
How have injuries impacted Real Madrid’s season so far?
The loss of Carvajal, Militão, Rüdiger, Alaba, and Tchouameni has crippled Real Madrid’s defensive structure. They’ve conceded 11 goals in their last five games — more than in their first seven combined. Without these key players, Alonso has been forced to rotate youth and fringe players, creating inconsistency but also revealing hidden talent like Huijsen and Camavinga.
Is Jude Bellingham carrying Real Madrid?
Absolutely. Bellingham has scored or assisted in 8 of Real Madrid’s last 10 matches. He’s the only player consistently delivering in big moments. With Mbappé struggling to find rhythm and Vinícius still finding his form, Bellingham is the engine. Without him, this team wouldn’t be top of the table — they’d be in crisis.