Espi saves Real with late winner at Elche

Real Madrid substitute Carlos Espi struck in the 91st minute to secure a last-gasp 3-2 win at Elche on Wednesday, Bangladesh Time, sending his side level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Madrid appeared in control after goals from an Elche own goal and Kylian Mbappe, but the hosts fought back through Abiel Osorio and Nino to level the match with seven minutes remaining.

Espi, who joined Madrid from Levante this summer, then popped up at the back post to convert Mbappe's cross and rescue Jose Mourinho's side. He has yet to start for Madrid but has now scored two crucial goals, having also netted a late winner against Espanyol in their opening game.

"(Espi) comes on with great motivation, (but) he has in front of him a player who is not a normal player," Mourinho said of the youngster and Mbappe.

"Playing with the two of them is not easy... with the changes I made late on I risked everything, because a draw was not enough."

Mourinho was frustrated by Madrid's failure to kill off the game after taking a two-goal lead.

"There are games which seem to be over... which we're not killing off, and after not killing them off they go from easy to being out of control," he said.

Mbappe's goal was his eighth of the season in all competitions, while record signing Yan Diomande registered his first assist for the club.