MADRID – Alvaro Arbeloa described Arda Guler’s stunning long-distance goal as a work of art after the midfielder scored from inside his own half in Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Elche on Saturday.
Guler surprised Elche goalkeeper Matias Ditoro with a wonderful shot in the 89th minute at the Bernabéu. Antonio Rudiger, Federico Valverde and Dean Huysen also scored to help Madrid move to within one point of leaders Barcelona ahead of their match on Sunday.
Guler scored from a distance of 68.6 meters (75.02 yd), making it the longest goal in the last 15 La Liga seasons.
“We should put it in a frame and hang it on the wall,” Arbeloa told Real Madrid TV when asked about Guler’s goal. “It’s amazing, wonderful. I saw everyone raising their hands in amazement, and I did too. It was worth paying the price of a ticket, or two or three, to see what he did.”
“(Guler) is a tremendous player,” Elche coach Eder Sarabia said. “We lost the ball unnecessarily, and then one of the best players in the world appeared. We conceded a lot of great goals.
“Those details that went our way in the first half of the season are now going against us. But coupled with that anger and sadness, as a football fan, it’s an unbelievable goal. You need to be able to see it, and then execute it.”
Real Madrid rested their key players ahead of their Champions League round of 16 second leg with Manchester City on Tuesday, making five substitutes aged 21 or under.
Arbeloa said he could “die happy after a night like this,” after leading the team to a victory that included many of the local talents he coached when he worked in the Madrid academy.
“For someone who has come through the youth ranks and reached the first team, this is a day of immense happiness and pride,” Arbeloa said. “It reminded me of Real Madrid in the era of Quinta del Buitre (the legendary team of the 1980s). I am very happy to see them playing and showing the talent they have.. It is an unforgettable day for Madrid fans.”
Arbeloa said star striker Kylian Mbappe, who is recovering from a sprained knee, will be assessed on Sunday ahead of City’s second leg.
“Tomorrow, we will train at Valdebebas, we will try Mbappe, and we will see how he feels,” Arbeloa said. “I hope he’s available. If he can be in Manchester, that would be great news.”
ESPN Research contributed to this report.
