The 2-2 draw between Elche and Real Madrid delivered tension, excitement, and a late equalizer that kept the Martínez Valero on edge. But one moment stood out above the rest: the collision between Vinícius Júnior and Iñaki Peña in the buildup to Jude Bellingham’s goal, assisted by Kylian Mbappé.
The VAR review sparked immediate debate, yet the Elche goalkeeper stepped forward to cool the controversy before it could grow.

“It Was Just a Knock, Nothing More”

Rather than fueling speculation, Iñaki Peña explained the sequence with complete calm.

“He shoots, I stop it, and because of the inertia, he catches me on the nose with his knee. It’s a shame the rebound fell to them, but in the end it was just a knock, nothing more. It’s a natural part of the game,” he told Movistar+.

The VAR checked for a possible foul by Vinícius, but with no clear infringement detected, Real Madrid’s second goal was validated and the score moved to 2-2.

Pride in the Performance, Bitterness in the Ending

The Elche dressing room left the pitch with mixed feelings. They delivered one of their strongest performances of the season, yet dropped two points at the end.

“We leave knowing we played a great game and gave everything. The draw leaves a bitter taste, but taking points off Real Madrid speaks to the ambition this team has,” said the goalkeeper.

Sarabia’s Plan Hit Its Mark

Eder Sarabia crafted a tactical approach designed to expose Madrid’s shaky form — the blancos have now gone two straight matches without a win in LaLiga.

“We knew that if they went behind, they were going to throw everything forward. They have world-class players who break lines and overwhelm you. We planned a match based on closing spaces, making them uncomfortable, and keeping the ball far from our box,” Peña explained.

He also highlighted Elche’s ability to alternate between long spells of possession and disciplined defensive structure:

“The more long possessions we had, the more they were going to suffer. And when it was time to drop back, we did it well.”

A Point That Feels Short… But Strengthens the Team

Despite the frustration of conceding late, Elche remain unbeaten at the Martínez Valero this season. Their ability to compete against elite opposition continues to grow.

For Iñaki Peña, the message is simple: they may have lost a victory, but they gained identity — and a reminder that this Elche side can stand up to anyone.