Bellingham Equaliser Sparks Elche Fury After Real Madrid Draw

Real Madrid Draw: Bellingham’s Late Strike Sparks Elche Outrage

Real Madrid draw controversy took center stage at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero as Jude Bellingham’s late equaliser salvaged a 2-2 result against Elche, leaving the home side enraged over refereeing decisions. The aftermath of Sunday’s intense La Liga clash continues to reverberate, with Elche coach Eder Sarabia publicly slamming officials for what he claims was a “clear foul” leading up to Madrid’s last-gasp goal.

Real Madrid Draw Leaves Elche Fuming Over Officiating

The Real Madrid draw was anything but straightforward. Newly-promoted Elche, hungry for an upset, twice took the lead against Xabi Alonso’s star-studded squad. After an even first half, Elche captain Aleix Febas, a former Real Madrid youth product, broke the deadlock just after the interval, finishing off a fluid team move. Dean Huijsen leveled for Los Blancos in the 78th minute, only for Elche’s Alvaro Rodriguez to restore the hosts’ advantage six minutes later with an inspired solo effort.

But the match’s defining moment—and the main source of the Real Madrid draw controversy—arrived in the 87th minute. Jude Bellingham pounced to equalise for Madrid, but chaos ensued as Elche’s players surrounded the referee to protest a challenge by Vinicius Junior on goalkeeper Iñaki Peña. The collision left Peña bloodied, and Elche’s appeals for a foul were dismissed after a VAR review.

Elche Coach Sarabia Slams “Clear Foul” in Real Madrid Draw

After the final whistle, Eder Sarabia didn’t mince words. “It’s a clear foul. That’s what VAR is for. The challenge on Iñaki drew blood—it couldn’t be clearer,” Sarabia stated in his heated post-match interview. The coach’s frustration was palpable as he lamented, “Taking the lead twice only to feel that external factors changed the result is infuriating.”

Sarabia’s outrage extended to social media, where he criticized the refereeing standards and the interpretation of the rules: “For more than 25 years, voluntariness has been removed as a factor for fouls, except for handball. Saying an action is ‘fortuitous’ is not a defense.”

Madrid’s Struggles Continue Despite Comeback

The Real Madrid draw extended Los Blancos’ winless streak to three matches, raising questions about their form. Head coach Xabi Alonso, however, was quick to defend his team’s mentality. “We haven’t fallen apart. It’s true the results are not what we wanted, but the team never gave up,” Alonso reflected. “There are many games left and we’re determined to turn things around.”

Alonso highlighted the squad’s resilience, noting that his players twice clawed back into the contest and showed unity despite adversity. “We know what it means to play for Real Madrid—the expectations, the criticism when things don’t go our way. There’s a strong bond within the group, and now we must focus on responding positively.”

Upcoming Challenges for Real Madrid After Dramatic Draw

Despite the Real Madrid draw and recent struggles, Madrid remains a point ahead of Barcelona in La Liga and is in a strong position to qualify from their Champions League group. Their upcoming fixtures will be crucial: a midweek trip to face Olympiacos in Greece, followed by another tough league test away at Girona.

For Madrid, these matches offer an immediate opportunity to bounce back. For Elche, the draw against the Spanish giants proves their fighting spirit—but also leaves lingering frustration over what might have been.

Opinion: VAR Debate Clouds Real Madrid Draw

The Real Madrid draw at Elche once again highlights the persistent debate over VAR and officiating consistency in football. While Madrid showed courage to come back twice, Elche’s sense of injustice is understandable given the physical nature of the incident involving their keeper. Ultimately, clear communication and consistent application of the rules would help reduce such controversies—and ensure football’s focus remains on the pitch.

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