Guler nets stunning long-range goal as Real Madrid routs Elche

On March 14, 2026, Real Madrid's German defender #22 Antonio Ruediger scored his team's first goal during the Spanish league football match against Elche CF at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.

Arda Guler and Fede Valverde played crucial roles as Real Madrid thrashed Elche 4-1, with Guler scoring from inside his own half and Valverde capping an excellent week with another fine strike.

Los Blancos, second in the league, cut the gap on Barcelona at the top of La Liga to a point before the Catalans host Sevilla on Sunday.

Uruguayan midfielder Valverde, who scored a sensational hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League in midweek, whipped the ball into the top corner before half-time after Antonio Rudiger blasted the hosts ahead.

Dean Huijsen headed home the third goal for Real Madrid, who visit Man City on Tuesday aiming to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, under the guidance of coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

The goal of the night was scored by Turkish playmaker Guler late on, who spotted Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro off his line and lobbed home from near the centre circle.

Arbeloa was able to rest several of the players that started after the break, including Vinicius Junior, Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, bringing on a host of youngsters to keep legs fresh for the trip to Manchester.

Madrid’s coach deployed captain Dani Carvajal at right-back and rested Trent Alexander-Arnold, while young midfielder Thiago Pitarch started for the fourth consecutive game.

Madrid are still without a host of injured stars, including Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes, while French striker Kylian Mbappe could return from a knee sprain next week.

Elche, 17th in the league, slumped to an 11th consecutive league game without a victory and could finish the weekend in the relegation zone.

Madrid were on a high after defeating City and although Elche showed some resistance at first, they were gradually unpicked by Real Madrid's attacking force.

After Dituro saved Valverde’s free-kick, Elche could not clear the rebound effectively and German centre-back Rudiger rifled home in the 39th minute, giving Madrid the lead.

Valverde added a second before the break, showing composure to open up an angle on the edge of the box and guiding the ball into the top corner for his fifth goal in his last three appearances.

Madrid were cruising and Arbeloa brought on several young players, including Daniel Yanez, who set up Madrid’s third with a fine cross which Huijsen nodded home.

Another one of Madrid’s substitutes, Manuel Angel, put through his own net as he tried to cut a ball out with five minutes to go, but Guler restored Madrid’s advantage with a touch of class from inside his own territory.

Guler's shot flew high over Dituro, who chased back desperately and unsuccessfully, securing Real Madrid's 4-1 victory over Elche.