Real Madrid achieved a historic comeback in their match against Roma, going from 3-1 to 4-3, thanks to goals from Endrick and Carlos Espí. Both players, who have been relegated to substitute roles under the direction of José Mourinho, took advantage of their minutes to change the course of the game and demonstrate their value within the team.
The match was played at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, where the Italian club took the lead with a score of 3‑1 in the 59th minute. Endrick came on in the 59th minute and Espí in the 78th, both from the bench. When Roma got Arda Güler's goal in the 83rd minute, Endrick headed a corner and made it 3‑2. Just four minutes later, Güler shot again and Endrick headed again to tie the score. The 89th minute saw Antonio Rüdiger seal the comeback with a decisive goal, leaving Real Madrid with the victory.
Regarding performance data, Espí, with just 13 minutes of play, recorded the highest number of expected goals (xG) of the team with 0.48. Endrick, for his part, had six interventions with the ball inside the rival area, only surpassed by Kylian Mbappé, who scored nine times. The presence of Mbappé continues to be an obstacle for Espí's ownership, as Mourinho pointed out in an interview prior to the game against Elche, where he explained that the Frenchman's presence makes the team's balance difficult and limits the opportunities of the other forwards.
Both players showed an attitude of acceptance and work. Espí commented that his goal is to take advantage of the minutes that the coach gives him and contribute to the team, without demanding headlines. "I came here to take advantage of the minutes and to help the team in any way possible. I had the opportunity to go out, they gave me 13 minutes and I made the most of them by scoring a goal and winning the game," he explained after the comeback. Endrick, for his part, described his entry as an unexpected opportunity that allowed him to demonstrate his skills. "I was on the bench talking to God. When I look to the side, Nuno is calling me," he said, adding that his performance does not seek to change the team's hierarchy, but rather to demonstrate that he is willing to fight every day.
With this victory, Real Madrid remains in the fight for league position and shows that even players who do not usually start games can make a difference. Mourinho has acknowledged that both Endrick and Espí have responded when the team needed it most, although Mbappé's presence will continue to be a decisive factor in shaping the attack. The club will continue to evaluate the performance of its forwards as the season progresses, with the expectation that both players will continue to contribute in upcoming matches.