A Trophy in the Midst of Anxiety: Elche’s Cup Night Revisited

Neither La Liga nor the Cup helped Elche this Centennial season, which is turning into a real disaster. Even as a secondary competition, Ceuta, the trailing side in Group I of the first RFEF, seized a point behind and eliminated Elche with a fair performance. (Source: match report attribution)

The Franjiverdes appeared to be adrift at the Alfonso Murube stadium. Manchín’s plan B failed to take hold, and several players, especially Enzo Roco, Domingos Quina, and Tete Morente, were seen exiting the club as if from a door already ajar. Ezequiel Ponce did not escape scrutiny; in the sixth minute he threw himself into trouble, already on a yellow card, and could have faced an even earlier dismissal. The moment suggested trouble ahead for Elche. (Source: match report attribution)

Ceuta took control of the field and left Elche behind. Elche managed only a late response when newcomers like Mascarell, Pere Milla, Roger Martí, and Lucas Boyé came on, but by then Ceuta led the scoreboard and Elche were playing a man down. (Source: match report attribution)

Ponce inexplicably threw himself out ECF

The match ended with Ceuta displaying superior football, while Elche’s moments of traction came only in the final twenty minutes as fresh legs tried to spark a comeback. Still, the scoreboard told the full story, and Ceuta deserved the win. (Source: match report attribution)

The night’s late game brought a glimmer of hope as Elche regrouped, but the near-impossible task remained, especially since the Franjiverdes were already short-handed and failed to prevent the host from controlling the tempo. (Source: match report attribution)

In the end, Ceuta played better football and earned the victory. Elche fought back in the last stretch as new players entered the fray, yet the deficit proved too large to overcome. (Source: match report attribution)

Despite the setback, Elche managed to force extra time. Tete Morente struck the crossbar, Pere Milla headed narrowly wide, and Roger Martí also missed a late opportunity in extra time. (Source: match report attribution)

It would be unfair to overlook Ceuta, who dominated for much of the match. (Source: match report attribution)

A Trophy for Elche in the Midst of Anxiety

JA Galvanized

The coach’s choices for Friday’s important league game against Celta suggested a shift in strategy, seeking a reaction from the squad. (Source: match report attribution)

Unexpected decisions surrounded the lineup, including the absence of Axel Werner. The defense held a steady line, and youngsters stepped onto the field. Morente played wide, while Laotaro Blanco’s illness forced changes. Midfielders like Raul Guti and Fidel looked to spark play, with Ponce as the focal point up top. (Source: match report attribution)

Raúl Guti controls the ball in front of a Ceuta player, while young player and first-time player Manu Cocca comes from behind. ECF

The first half told a clear story: Ceuta was better motivated, pressing higher, dictating tempo, and finishing their chances with sharper edge. Leandro Montagud’s goal came early and executed a clinical finish in the opening minutes, the North Africans taking advantage of Elche’s hand-to-hand struggle in the middle. (Source: match report attribution)

Elche looked out of sync, unable to find spaces or create meaningful ball circulation. A lack of cohesion left the goalkeeper Edgar Badía exposed at times as Ceuta pressed relentlessly. (Source: match report attribution)

The first half ended with Ceuta’s advantage clear and solid. A slow but steady build of pressure culminated in a reward when Liberto Beltrán netted after a quick move against a vulnerable defense. The foul was controversial, and the referee, Jorge Figueroa Vázquez, issued cautions to several Elche players. (Source: match report attribution)

Rodri took the opportunity to put Ceuta ahead in a fair and deserved fashion just before the break. Elche left the field with four yellow cards, signaling a tense response to the challenge. (Source: match report attribution)

In the second half, Elche attempted to push forward, but changes did little to shift the balance. Lautaro Blanco’s illness further weakened the visitors, and the response stayed delayed. The team showed moments of courage but lacked precision and cohesion on the ball. (Source: match report attribution)

With the match in a delicate balance, Elche pressed to salvage something, yet Ceuta’s organization and intensity kept the initiative. The final gesture of the game left Elche with a cautious record against a tougher opponent and a reminder of the work still ahead for the squad. (Source: match report attribution)

DATA SHEET:

CUTA Montagud; Macias, Alain, Juan Gutierrez, Robin; Alberto Reina, Adri Cuevas (Pablo, min 83), Liberto (David Alfonso, min 91), Ñito González; Jota (Luismi, min 83) and Rodri (Samu Casais, min 91).

Elche: Edgar Badía; Enzo Roco, Gonzalo Verdu, Cocca (Lucas Boyé, min 68); Lautaro (Clerc, min 73), Tete Morente, Gumbau (Mascarell, min 68), Raúl Guti (Roger, min 77), Domingos Quina (Peré Milla, min 68); Fidel and Ponce.

AIM: 1-0, m. 44: Rodri, penalty kick.

JUDGE: Jorge Figueroa Vázquez (Andalusian Committee). Local Adri Cuevas (min 75) and Rodri (min 76) and Elche’s Roco (min 42), Tete Morente (min 42), Gumbau (min 42), Lautaro (min 57) and Mile of Peré warned. Ponce was sent off with a double yellow in minutes 27 and 61. (Source: match report attribution)

EVENTS: The last 32 rounds of the Spanish King’s Cup were played as a single match in front of 2,483 spectators at the Alfonso Murube stadium. A minute’s silence was observed for the death of Edson Arantes do Nascimento Pelé. (Source: match report attribution)

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