Espi, who Madrid signed this summer from Levante, has not started a game for the club but both of his goals have been vital for Jose Mourinho’s side. Madrid have five wins from six matches, level on points with champions Barca, who host Racing Santander on Wednesday. The striker, who already saved his team at Espanyol in their opening game with a late strike, tucked home at the back post in the 91st minute after Madrid threw away a two-goal lead.
Real Madrid substitute Carlos Espi snatched his team a last-gasp 3-2 win at Elche on Tuesday to pull them level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Real Madrid substitute Carlos Espi snatched his team a last-gasp 3-2 win at Elche on Tuesday to pull them level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Mourinho rested Jude Bellingham for the first time this season, bringing Arda Guler into the team in his place. The forward prodded wide after Guler set him up in the second minute, and he also sent another effort badly off-target from the edge of the box. Guler curled a free-kick around the wall and against the post, with the ball hitting Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro before it crossed the line, for an own goal.
Mourinho was unhappy with his team not extending their 2-0 lead and allowing Elche, now bottom of La Liga, to fight back. The Spanish striker produced a fine low finish to pull his team level with the 15-time European champions.
“(Espi) comes on with great motivation, (but) he has in front of him a player who is not a normal player,” said Mourinho of Kylian Mbappe, who also scored for Madrid.
