There was a fearlessness to Elche’s play, as epitomised by Alvaro Nunez dribbling the ball through his own box.
Even so, there was a reminder of Los Blancos’ threat when Kylian Mbappé struck marginally wide from Raul Asencio’s pass.
With the hosts undeterred, Andre Silva headed German Valera’s cross narrowly past the post before Grady Diangana’s attempt was blocked.
The hosts’ biggest chance yet fell to Rafa Mir after Hector Fort had dispossessed Alvaro Fernandez and Silva slid the ball through, but the striker was outfoxed by Thibaut Courtois.
Asencio headed wide from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner at the other end, and Arda Guler linked up with Fran Garcia before coming agonisingly close with an audacious strike.
Elche still kept coming, though, and Dean Huijsen had to recover to stop Silva’s pass reaching Mir after the centre-back had failed to deal with the initial ball forward.
Mbappe was then halted by Inaki Pena following a heavy touch and saw a volley denied by Los Franjiverdes’ goalkeeper.
With neither side backing down, Silva was stopped by Courtois and David Affengruber blocked Rodrygo’s attempt as an entertaining first half ended goalless.
Pena was back in action shortly after the restart to palm Rodrygo’s venomous shot wide, and it was Courtois who was eventually beaten in the 53rd minute. Wonderful build-up play culminated in Valera backheeling the ball through for Aleix Febas to poke it past Los Blancos’ goalkeeper and in off the post.
Xabi Alonso swiftly responded with a triple change and then introduced Gonzalo Garcia, who headed over shortly after coming on.
The equaliser finally came in the 78th minute, when Jude Bellingham won the initial header from Alexander-Arnold’s corner and Huijsen poked the ball over the line.
Undeterred, Elche came forward again and regained their lead just six minutes later as Alvaro Rodriguez glided forward and beat Courtois from outside the box.
Unbelievably, Bellingham saw one shot saved but converted from Mbappe’s pass to ensure his side at least earned a point, which takes Los Blancos back to the top of La Liga.
However, things could have been even better with Gonzalo unable to get enough on Eduardo Camavinga’s ball to turn it goalward.
The comeback also leaves Los Franjiverdes winless in their last six games, and they finished the match with 10 men due to Victor Chust receiving his second yellow of the game for pulling Mbappe’s shirt.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
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