La Liga Regular Season - 28

Real Madrid 4 - 1 FT Elche

Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
61
FT
Sat, Mar 14
Español
Real Madrid
4-1
Elche
⚡ Intensity 61
⚖️ Balance 14
🏆 Stakes 67
🎲 Upset 0
Madrid's ruthless efficiency punishes Elche.

Ruthless Madrid Punish Naive Elche at the Bernabéu

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 61/100. Real Madrid’s ruthless transitional play tore through Elche’s brave but ultimately naive possession setup, proving exactly why they remain fierce title contenders.

A False Sense of Security

The visitors arrived at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu with a surprisingly bold game plan. Despite their perilous position in a fierce relegation battle, Elche actually edged possession in the opening exchanges, knocking the ball around with a confidence that defied their bleak league standing. However, a high Upset Factor never truly materialized on the pitch. For all their neat triangles and 53% possession, the visitors lacked any real bite or penetration in the final third. Real Madrid, perfectly content to absorb the early pressure, sat back and waited for the inevitable tactical mistakes. The Stakes were massive for both sides as they hunted crucial points, but the hosts’ sheer quality and defensive patience meant they were always dictating the underlying tempo. Elche's bravery was commendable, but at this elite level, possession without penetration is a highly dangerous game to play.

The Floodgates Open

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 39th minute, utterly shattering the illusion of a tightly fought contest. A. Rudiger powered home a clinical finish to crack the visitors' fragile resolve, and before the dust had even settled, the hosts struck again. Just five minutes later, F. Valverde doubled the advantage after a sharp, incisive cutback from F. Garcia. The Balance of the match completely evaporated in that brutal, unforgiving spell of attacking football. Madrid's ability to explode into life showcased off-the-charts Intensity, turning a potentially frustrating half into a comfortable stroll. Elche’s defenders were left hopelessly chasing shadows as the home side mercilessly exposed the massive gaps left by their expansive approach, effectively ending the contest as a spectacle before the half-time whistle even blew.

Bench Depth Seals the Deal

The second half was a pure masterclass in game management and utilizing squad rotation effectively. D. Huijsen added a third in the 66th minute, putting the result entirely beyond doubt and showcasing that even Madrid's defenders had a sharp eye for goal. Even when M. A. Moran bundled in a scrappy consolation goal late on, the Bernabéu crowd barely flinched. The real story of the closing stages was Madrid's terrifying squad depth. Introduced just before the hour mark, A. Guler provided the final dramatic flourish with a brilliant 89th-minute strike that underscored the yawning gulf in class between the two squads. Securing all three vital points keeps Madrid breathing heavily down the necks of the league leaders, while leaving their opponents staring firmly into the abyss.

Key Questions

What caused the 5-goal thriller?

A combination of Elche's expansive passing approach leaving defensive gaps, and Real Madrid's absolutely clinical counter-attacking execution inside the final third.

What does this mean for Real Madrid's season?

It keeps them firmly entrenched in a tight title race, sitting just four points off the top of the table with momentum building nicely.

How did substitute Arda Güler change the game?

Coming off the bench, he injected fresh attacking energy, exploited tired defensive legs, and capped off a brilliant cameo with an 89th-minute goal.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
47%
53%
Real Madrid 47%
Elche 53%
Shots
14
10
Real Madrid 14
Elche 10
Shots on Target
6
1
Real Madrid 6
Elche 1
Expected Goals (xG)
1.09
0.55
Real Madrid 1.09
Elche 0.55
Passes
474
528
Real Madrid 474
Elche 528
Pass Accuracy
89%
88%
Real Madrid 89%
Elche 88%
Corners
5
3
Real Madrid 5
Elche 3
Fouls
11
21
Real Madrid 11
Elche 21
Yellow Cards
1
3
Real Madrid 1
Elche 3
Red Cards
0
0
Real Madrid 0
Elche 0

Match Events

Buba Sangare A. Pedrosa 🔄 23'
39' A. Rudiger
44' F. Valverde (F. Garcia)
HT
55' 🟨 E. Camavinga
58' 🔄 Vinicius Junior A. Guler
58' 🔄 F. Valverde G. Garcia
58' 🔄 A. Tchouameni D. Yanez
61' 🔄 A. Rudiger D. Aguado
G. Valera 🟨 62'
63' 🔄 B. Diaz M. A. Moran
64' 🔄 T. Pitarch C. Palacios
L. Cepeda R. Mir 🔄 64'
F. Redondo Solari M. Aguado 🔄 64'
L. Petrot Josan 🔄 64'
D. Affengruber 🟨 66'
66' D. Huijsen (D. Yanez)
D. Affengruber P. Bigas 🔄 74'
M. Neto G. Diangana 🔄 74'
M. A. Moran 85'
R. Mir 🟨 88'
89' A. Guler
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

Real Madrid

Goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Daniel Carvajal
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Antonio Rüdiger
SNIPER
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Dean Huijsen
SNIPER
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Fran García
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
70%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Federico Valverde
SNIPER
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Thiago Pitarch
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
64
Total Mins
64
Entry
Aurélien Tchouaméni
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
58
Total Mins
58
Entry
Eduardo Camavinga
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Brahim Díaz
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
7
Fouls Won
7
Fouls Won
10
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Vinicius Júnior
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
58
Total Mins
58
Entry
BENCH
Andriy Lunin
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Sergio Mestre
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Diego Aguado
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
33
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Trent Alexander-Arnold
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Arda Güler
CLUTCH HERO
CLUTCH HERO
89
Goal Time
89
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
8.3
Rating
Manuel Ángel Morán
CLUTCH HERO
CLUTCH HERO
85
Goal Time
85
Goal Time
Own Goal
Impact
6.6
Rating
César Palacios
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Daniel Yañez
SUPER SUB
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
36
Minutes
7
Rating
Gonzalo García
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
36
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Elche

Goalkeepers
Matías Dituro
MAGNET
MAGNET
60
Activity
60
Activity
57
Passes
3
Duels
Defenders
Buba Sangare
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
23
Entry
David Affengruber
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
Víctor Chust
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Léo Pétrot
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
64
Total Mins
64
Entry
Germán Valera
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
50%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Lucas Cepeda
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Federico Redondo
MAGNET
MAGNET
66
Activity
66
Activity
57
Passes
9
Duels
Aleix Febas
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Forwards
Martim Neto
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
André Silva
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Alejandro Iturbe
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Iñaki Peña
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Adrià Pedrosa
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
50%
Duel Win %
Pedro Bigas
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Josan
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marc Aguado
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gonzalo Villar
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rafa Mir
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Grady Diangana
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yago Santiago
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tete Morente
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Álvaro Rodriguez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
23/11/2025 Elche 2 - 2 Real Madrid La Liga Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
15/02/2023 Real Madrid 4 - 0 Elche La Liga Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
19/10/2022 Elche 0 - 3 Real Madrid La Liga Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
23/01/2022 Real Madrid 2 - 2 Elche La Liga Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
20/01/2022 Elche 1 - 2 Real Madrid Copa del Rey Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
30/10/2021 Elche 1 - 2 Real Madrid La Liga Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
13/03/2021 Real Madrid 2 - 1 Elche La Liga Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano
30/12/2020 Elche 1 - 1 Real Madrid La Liga Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
22/02/2015 Elche 0 - 2 Real Madrid La Liga Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
23/09/2014 Real Madrid 5 - 1 Elche La Liga Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
23/11/2025
La Liga Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
15/02/2023
La Liga Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
19/10/2022
La Liga Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
23/01/2022
La Liga Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
20/01/2022
Copa del Rey Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
30/10/2021
La Liga Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
13/03/2021
La Liga Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano
30/12/2020
La Liga Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
22/02/2015
La Liga Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
23/09/2014
La Liga Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
Real Madrid Win
Elche Win
Draw

League Standings

Pos Team P Pts GF GA GD Form
1 Barcelona 28 70 77 28 +49 WBarcelona 5 - 2 Sevilla (15-03-2026)WAthletic Club 0 - 1 Barcelona (07-03-2026)WBarcelona 4 - 1 Villarreal (28-02-2026)WBarcelona 3 - 0 Levante (22-02-2026)LGirona 2 - 1 Barcelona (16-02-2026)
2 Real Madrid 28 66 60 24 +36 WReal Madrid 4 - 1 Elche (14-03-2026)WCelta Vigo 1 - 2 Real Madrid (06-03-2026)LReal Madrid 0 - 1 Getafe (02-03-2026)LOsasuna 2 - 1 Real Madrid (21-02-2026)WReal Madrid 4 - 1 Real Sociedad (14-02-2026)
3 Atletico Madrid 28 57 47 25 +22 WAtletico Madrid 1 - 0 Getafe (14-03-2026)WAtletico Madrid 3 - 2 Real Sociedad (07-03-2026)WOviedo 0 - 1 Atletico Madrid (28-02-2026)WAtletico Madrid 4 - 2 Espanyol (21-02-2026)LRayo Vallecano 3 - 0 Atletico Madrid (15-02-2026)
4 Villarreal 28 55 51 33 +18 DAlaves 1 - 1 Villarreal (13-03-2026)WVillarreal 2 - 1 Elche (08-03-2026)LBarcelona 4 - 1 Villarreal (28-02-2026)WVillarreal 2 - 1 Valencia (22-02-2026)WLevante 0 - 1 Villarreal (18-02-2026)
5 Real Betis 28 44 43 35 +8 DReal Betis 1 - 1 Celta Vigo (15-03-2026)LGetafe 2 - 0 Real Betis (08-03-2026)DReal Betis 2 - 2 Sevilla (01-03-2026)DReal Betis 1 - 1 Rayo Vallecano (21-02-2026)WMallorca 1 - 2 Real Betis (15-02-2026)
6 Celta Vigo 28 41 38 31 +7 DReal Betis 1 - 1 Celta Vigo (15-03-2026)LCelta Vigo 1 - 2 Real Madrid (06-03-2026)WGirona 1 - 2 Celta Vigo (01-03-2026)WCelta Vigo 2 - 0 Mallorca (22-02-2026)DEspanyol 2 - 2 Celta Vigo (14-02-2026)
7 Real Sociedad 28 38 43 42 +1 WReal Sociedad 3 - 1 Osasuna (15-03-2026)LAtletico Madrid 3 - 2 Real Sociedad (07-03-2026)WMallorca 0 - 1 Real Sociedad (28-02-2026)DReal Sociedad 3 - 3 Oviedo (21-02-2026)LReal Madrid 4 - 1 Real Sociedad (14-02-2026)
8 Espanyol 28 37 35 42 -7 LMallorca 2 - 1 Espanyol (15-03-2026)DEspanyol 1 - 1 Oviedo (09-03-2026)DElche 2 - 2 Espanyol (01-03-2026)LAtletico Madrid 4 - 2 Espanyol (21-02-2026)DEspanyol 2 - 2 Celta Vigo (14-02-2026)
9 Getafe 28 35 23 30 -7 LAtletico Madrid 1 - 0 Getafe (14-03-2026)WGetafe 2 - 0 Real Betis (08-03-2026)WReal Madrid 0 - 1 Getafe (02-03-2026)LGetafe 0 - 1 Sevilla (22-02-2026)WGetafe 2 - 1 Villarreal (14-02-2026)
10 Athletic Club 28 35 30 40 -10 LGirona 3 - 0 Athletic Club (14-03-2026)LAthletic Club 0 - 1 Barcelona (07-03-2026)DRayo Vallecano 1 - 1 Athletic Club (28-02-2026)WAthletic Club 2 - 1 Elche (20-02-2026)WOviedo 1 - 2 Athletic Club (15-02-2026)
11 Osasuna 28 34 33 35 -2 LReal Sociedad 3 - 1 Osasuna (15-03-2026)DOsasuna 2 - 2 Mallorca (07-03-2026)LValencia 1 - 0 Osasuna (01-03-2026)WOsasuna 2 - 1 Real Madrid (21-02-2026)DElche 0 - 0 Osasuna (13-02-2026)
12 Girona 28 34 31 43 -12 WGirona 3 - 0 Athletic Club (14-03-2026)DLevante 1 - 1 Girona (07-03-2026)LGirona 1 - 2 Celta Vigo (01-03-2026)DAlaves 2 - 2 Girona (23-02-2026)WGirona 2 - 1 Barcelona (16-02-2026)
13 Rayo Vallecano 28 32 28 34 -6 DRayo Vallecano 1 - 1 Levante (16-03-2026)DSevilla 1 - 1 Rayo Vallecano (08-03-2026)WRayo Vallecano 3 - 0 Oviedo (04-03-2026)DRayo Vallecano 1 - 1 Athletic Club (28-02-2026)DReal Betis 1 - 1 Rayo Vallecano (21-02-2026)
14 Valencia 28 32 30 42 -12 LOviedo 1 - 0 Valencia (14-03-2026)WValencia 3 - 2 Alaves (08-03-2026)WValencia 1 - 0 Osasuna (01-03-2026)LVillarreal 2 - 1 Valencia (22-02-2026)WLevante 0 - 2 Valencia (15-02-2026)
15 Sevilla 28 31 37 47 -10 LBarcelona 5 - 2 Sevilla (15-03-2026)DSevilla 1 - 1 Rayo Vallecano (08-03-2026)DReal Betis 2 - 2 Sevilla (01-03-2026)WGetafe 0 - 1 Sevilla (22-02-2026)DSevilla 1 - 1 Alaves (14-02-2026)
16 Mallorca 28 28 33 45 -12 WMallorca 2 - 1 Espanyol (15-03-2026)DOsasuna 2 - 2 Mallorca (07-03-2026)LMallorca 0 - 1 Real Sociedad (28-02-2026)LCelta Vigo 2 - 0 Mallorca (22-02-2026)LMallorca 1 - 2 Real Betis (15-02-2026)
17 Alaves 28 28 26 38 -12 DAlaves 1 - 1 Villarreal (13-03-2026)LValencia 3 - 2 Alaves (08-03-2026)LLevante 2 - 0 Alaves (27-02-2026)DAlaves 2 - 2 Girona (23-02-2026)DSevilla 1 - 1 Alaves (14-02-2026)
18 Elche 28 26 36 45 -9 LReal Madrid 4 - 1 Elche (14-03-2026)LVillarreal 2 - 1 Elche (08-03-2026)DElche 2 - 2 Espanyol (01-03-2026)LAthletic Club 2 - 1 Elche (20-02-2026)DElche 0 - 0 Osasuna (13-02-2026)
19 Levante 28 23 30 46 -16 DRayo Vallecano 1 - 1 Levante (16-03-2026)DLevante 1 - 1 Girona (07-03-2026)WLevante 2 - 0 Alaves (27-02-2026)LBarcelona 3 - 0 Levante (22-02-2026)LLevante 0 - 1 Villarreal (18-02-2026)
20 Oviedo 28 21 18 44 -26 WOviedo 1 - 0 Valencia (14-03-2026)DEspanyol 1 - 1 Oviedo (09-03-2026)LRayo Vallecano 3 - 0 Oviedo (04-03-2026)LOviedo 0 - 1 Atletico Madrid (28-02-2026)DReal Sociedad 3 - 3 Oviedo (21-02-2026)