Elche faced a setback in the 50th Carabela de Plata trophy when the local Murcian hosts secured a decisive victory on home soil. Cartagena, a Second Division side, prevailed in a dramatic shootout after taking an early two-goal lead, signaling a night where the hosts found better form and Elche struggled to respond in the decisive moments.
Following convincing wins over Getafe and Leganés in recent days, Elche’s franjiverdes group arrived at a match against Cartagena feeling confident, yet the result pointed to a different reality. The visitors appeared aggressive from the start, with Murad pushing forward and creating several promising openings. The youth squad was fully engaged, knowing that Boyé’s conditioning could open a door for him to break into the first team this season. A first clear chance arrived when Aarón anticipated a header and made a sharp save to deny a close-range effort.
Minutes later, Cartagena struck first, seizing the initiative with a powerful shot after De Blasis whipped a corner into the box. The ball found Pablo Vázquez, who finished with precision to put the hosts ahead on the scoreboard.
Elche sought a response. Pere Milla came closest to leveling the score, but his attempt sailed over the crossbar after Mourad had earlier parried a follow-up effort that could have changed the momentum. An individual rush by Arribas doubled Cartagena’s advantage, finding the unyielding Ortuño who nodded in past the stranded Elche goalkeeper. Cartagena continued to press while Elche struggled to control the pace, with Aarón once again testing Mourad as Elche navigated a difficult path to regroup before the break, facing a 2-0 deficit.
The second half unfolded with a flurry of substitutions and a steady advantage for the home side, who managed to preserve their lead as Elche chased a way back into the contest. The most positive note for Elche came when Eze Ponce, who had not conceded a goal yet this preseason, began his preparations for competitive action this season. Despite the changes and the effort from Francisco’s men, Cartagena held firm and completed a relatively comfortable win to lift the summer cup.
MATCH TABLE
CARTAGENA: Aarón; Pablo Vázquez, Ferreiro, De Blasis, Ortuño, Arribas, Calero, Mikel Rico, Jairo, Kiko Olivas and Tejera. They also used: Marc Martínez, Franchu, Alcalá, Teddy, Sangalli, Sadiku, Carlos Sánchez, Adrián, Pedro, Farru and Neskes.
ELCHE: Werner; Pedro Bigas, Raúl Guti, Pere Milla, Palacios, Fidel, Josan, Mascarell, Mojica, Mourad and John. They also used: Enzo Roco, Diego González, Tete Morente, Ponce, Gumbau, Josema, Carles Marco, Rodri, Knezevic and Alfaro.
GOALS: 1-0 (21′) Pablo Vázquez. 2-0 (36′) Ortuño.
REFEREE: Sanchez Lopez.
STADIUM: Kartagonova. The local team clinched the 50th edition of the Silver Caravel Trophy in front of the home crowd, a memorable milestone for Cartagena and its supporters. [CREDIT: Local sports desk]