MADRID — Álvaro Arbeloa called Arda Güler ‘s long-distance wondergoal a work of art after the midfielder scored from inside his own half in Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Elche on Saturday.
Güler caught Elche keeper Matías Dituro off his line with an ingenious lob in the 89th minute at the Bernabéu — after earlier goals from Antonio Rüdiger, Federico Valverde and Dean Huijsen — to move Madrid to within a point of leaders Barcelona ahead of their game on Sunday.
The goal was scored from a distance of 68.6 meters (75.02 yards), making it the longest in the last 15 LaLiga seasons.
“We should frame it, and hang it on a wall,” Arbeloa told Real Madrid TV when asked about Güler’s strike. “It’s amazing. Wonderful. I saw everyone throw their hands up in amazement, and I did too. It was worth having paid for a ticket, or two or three, to see what he did.”
“[Güler] is a colossal player,” Elche coach Eder Sarabia agreed. “We lost the ball unnecessarily, and then one of the best players in the world appears. We’ve been conceding a lot of great goals.
“Those details that went our way in the first half of the season are now going against us. But alongside that anger and sadness, as a football fan, it’s an incredible goal. You need the ability to see it, and then to execute it.”
Madrid were able to rest key players ahead of Madrid’s Champions League last 16 second leg with Manchester City on Tuesday, bringing on five substitutes aged 21 or under.
Arbeloa said he could “die happy after a night like this” having managed the team to a victory featuring so many homegrown talents, who he had previously coached when working at Madrid’s academy.
“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,” he said. “It reminded me of the Real Madrid of the [legendary 80s side] Quinta del Buitre era. I’m so happy to see them play and show the talent they possess …. It’s a day to remember for Madrid fans.”
Arbeloa said the fitness of star forward Kylian Mbappé would be assessed on Sunday ahead of the City second leg, as he recovers from a knee sprain.
“Tomorrow we’ll train at Valdebebas, we’ll try Mbappé out, and we’ll see how he feels,” Arbeloa said. “I hope he’ll be available. If he can be in Manchester, that will be great news.”
ESPN Research contributed to this report.
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