At the Martínez Valero, Real Madrid escaped Elche with a 3-2 LaLiga win thanks to another late intervention from Carlos Espí, the 20-year-old forward whose growing influence is now prompting calls for him to start ahead of Vinícius Júnior.
Key takeaways
- Carlos Espí came on after half-time and scored in stoppage time to settle Real Madrid’s sixth-round match at Elche.
- The 20-year-old has now delivered two decisive goals in the closing minutes this season.
- Tomás Roncero believes Espí should be in José Mourinho’s starting side, even if Vinícius Júnior must be left among the substitutes.
- Vinícius started the 3-2 victory but did not score and has acknowledged that he is not currently at his best.
Espí’s late habit changes the conversation
Madrid’s trip down Spain’s Mediterranean coast became another stage for Espí’s emerging reputation. Signed by Real Madrid this season, the young Spaniard has increasingly become an attacking option under Mourinho, and his stoppage-time finish ensured the visitors left Elche with all three points.
It was not an isolated rescue act. Espí has twice found the net late in matches to decide games for Madrid this campaign, a return that has quickly brought debate over how much responsibility he should receive in the starting line-up.
Roncero made the case forcefully after the match, arguing that Espí deserves to begin games. “Espí has to start,” he said, adding that Vinícius should go to the bench if that is what the selection requires.
Vinícius remains a major figure in Madrid’s attack
The discussion comes with Vinícius still one of Real Madrid’s principal attacking players. The Brazilian was selected from the opening whistle against Elche and contributed to the 3-2 result, although he did not register a goal.
Roncero compared Espí’s first steps in Madrid to Vinícius’s own earlier spell at the club, recalling that the Brazilian arrived as a young player and needed time to understand the demands involved in winning a regular place. Espí, he said, has already “saved” Madrid twice.
For now, Mourinho has another in-form forward to call upon as the LaLiga season develops. Espí’s goals have given Madrid late solutions; the next question is whether those moments will soon earn him a place from the first minute.
SEO title: Carlos Espí’s late Elche winner fuels Real Madrid selection debate
SEO description: Carlos Espí scored a stoppage-time winner as Real Madrid beat Elche 3-2, increasing calls for the 20-year-old to start ahead of Vinícius Júnior.
