Arda Guler scores from own half as Madrid thrash Elche
March 15, 2026
210d agoReal Madrid delivered a commanding performance at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday night, thrashing Elche 4-1 to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to just a single point . On a night that began with frustration for the home side, it ended in pure ecstasy as Turkish wonderkid Arda Güler etched his name into club folklore with a goal of breathtaking audacity. The 21-year-old's strike from inside his own half in the dying minutes provided a fairytale finish to a hard-fought victory, leaving teammates and fans alike struggling to comprehend what they had witnessed .
After a slow start against a stubborn Elche side, the deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion just before halftime. Federico Valverde, continuing his remarkable run of form, saw his free-kick parried by goalkeeper Matías Dituro, and German defender Antonio Rüdiger was on hand to volley home the rebound in the 39th minute . Five minutes later, Valverde produced a moment of magic himself, curling a stunning right-footed strike into the top corner from the edge of the box to double the advantage – his fifth goal in just three appearances following his midweek hat-trick against Manchester City .
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Madrid controlling possession and eventually adding a third through Dean Huijsen, who rose highest to head home from a Daniel Yáñez cross in the 66th minute . Elche grabbed a late consolation when substitute Manuel Ángel inadvertently turned the ball into his own net with five minutes remaining, but the visitors' joy was short-lived .
What followed in the 89th minute will be replayed for generations. Spotting Elche goalkeeper Matías Dituro wandering off his line, Güler – who had entered the fray just after the hour mark – unleashed an audacious left-footed strike from well inside his own half . The ball sailed through the Madrid air with perfect trajectory, arcing over the desperately back-pedalling Dituro and bouncing once before nestling into the net. The 74-yard screamer equalled the longest goal ever recorded in La Liga history, matching Antonio José's famous effort for Numancia against Sevilla in 2004 .
"Everyone had their hands on their head… it is worth buying a ticket to see that goal," beamed coach Álvaro Arbeloa afterward, while Brahim Díaz added that "he hit the bar from there in another game and today he pulled it off" . The victory moves Madrid to 66 points, keeping the pressure firmly on Barcelona ahead of their Sunday fixture against Sevilla, while Elche remain mired in a relegation battle just one point above the drop zone .
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