Elche and Zaragoza: A storied rivalry through playoffs and league clashes

Elche and Zaragoza have a storied history in Spanish football, with recent competitive results in the Segunda Division spanning from 2009 to 2020. During regular league play, Elche held a slight edge in the overall head-to-head, securing three wins to Zaragoza’s two in their last five league meetings at the Martinez Valero stadium. The most dramatic chapter arrived during a pandemic-affected promotion playoff, when Zaragoza’s visit to Elche ended in a 0-0 stalemate that left the outcome to be decided in the return leg and kept the Franco-green fans hopeful. The match featured Elche playing with one man down for much of the game after Jonathas departed in the 27th minute, showcasing grit and resilience under pressure.