Arda Guler scores stunning 68-metre goal as Real Madrid defeat Elche
Arda Guler scored a spectacular lob from inside his own half as Real Madrid thrashed Elche 4-1 at the Bernabeu on Saturday to move within a point of La Liga leaders Barcelona.
The Turkey international caught goalkeeper Matias Dituro off his line in the 89th minute to cap off a dominant performance.
Goals from Antonio Rudiger, Federico Valverde and Dean Huijsen had already secured the three points for the hosts.
Record-breaking strike
The 19-year-old playmaker’s outrageous 68.6-metre strike etched itself into the history books as the longest goal in Spain’s top flight over the past 15 seasons.
Stand-in manager Alvaro Arbeloa was left in awe of the audacious long-distance effort.
“We should frame it, and hang it on a wall,” Arbeloa told Real Madrid TV.
“It’s amazing, wonderful. I saw everyone throw their hands up in amazement, and I did too.”
‘One of the best in the world’
Elche head coach Eder Sarabia echoed those sentiments, acknowledging the sheer brilliance of the strike despite his understandable frustration.
“We lost the ball unnecessarily, and then one of the best players in the world appears,” Sarabia noted.
“Alongside that anger and sadness, as a football fan, it’s an incredible goal.”
Youth shines on historic night
The comfortable domestic victory allowed the Spanish giants to rest crucial senior figures ahead of Tuesday’s pivotal Champions League last-16 second leg against Manchester City.
Arbeloa utilised the opportunity to introduce five substitutes aged 21 or under, drawing comparisons to the club’s legendary ‘Quinta del Buitre’ era of the 1980s.
“For someone who came up through the youth ranks myself and made it to the first team, this is a day of immense happiness and pride,” the former full-back added.
Mbappe injury concern
Attention now turns entirely to European action, with major concerns lingering over the fitness of star forward Kylian Mbappe.
The French World Cup winner is currently recovering from a knee sprain and faces a crucial medical assessment on Sunday.
“I hope he’ll be available,” Arbeloa stated. “If he can be in Manchester, that will be great news.”
