Real Madrid failed to win for the third consecutive match, settling for a 2–2 draw with Elche in their first match back from the November international break.
Xabi Alonso deployed a head-scratching XI on Sunday evening, benching Vinícius Júnior for Rodrygo and giving the nod to Fran García and Dani Ceballos in the midfield. The gamble did not pay off for the Real Madrid boss, who watched his side put forth an abysmal effort at the Estadio Martínez Valero until he made second-half substitutions.
Still, last-gasp goals from Dean Huijsen and Jude Bellingham were not enough to deny Elche a point. The draw now puts Los Blancos just one point ahead of Barcelona atop the La Liga standings.
