Elche CF Faces Tough Home Loss to Real Sociedad

Elche CF Slips to a Narrow Home Defeat Against Real Sociedad

Franjiverdes were brought down in a heavy setback yesterday, suffering a third consecutive loss. The defeat left their run of results at four points and cast doubt over their immediate prospects.

The residents of San Sebastian celebrated the win at the Martínez Valero stadium as Imanol Aguacil’s squad delivered an impressive display of football, one of the best performances seen at the Elche Coliseum this season. The midfield trio of David Silva, Rafinha, and Merino, supported by Zubimendi, controlled the tempo. Isaac and Sorloth caused constant trouble for Elche’s backline, while Francisco’s side showed resilience after a difficult start in the second half.

Despite the danger posed by the visitors, there was still hope of pulling off a surprise and earning something positive. Elche began with intent. Three minutes in, Guido Carrillo opened the scoreboard after Fidel and Mojica combined to place the Argentinian in a favorable position on the left flank.

Elche started with intensity, pressing high and maintaining a proactive approach, a marked improvement from their previous outing at San Mamés.

But the early optimism proved fleeting as Real Sociedad asserted control from the 10th minute onward, guided by an excellent performance from David Silva. They tightened the pressure, cutting through Elche with quick triangulations and effective play on the wings. Isak found the net, but Edgar Badia responded with a sharp stop using his right leg to preserve parity.

Pere Milla then conjured a second goal for the visitors, though the attempt did not come off as planned due to a defensive miscue, and the Catalan forward failed to convert his chance in the box.

The referee awarded a penalty in the 16th minute after Roco collided with Sorloth in a sprint for the ball. The Chilean player did not contact the Norwegian and a prior offside decision by the official did little to settle the mood. Isak converted the spot kick, but the referee ruled the goal out for an earlier foul, a decision that drew wide debate among spectators. Real continued to press and Badia produced another important stop to deny Zaldua’s long-range effort. The half ended with Real Sociedad in control and with a lead worthy of the scoreboard.

Gipuzkoans pressed forward after the break, Isak finding the back of the net again in the 38th minute. A measured corner from David Silva allowed Le Normand to rise highest and nod past the stranded Roco, giving Real a 2-1 advantage as the interval approached. The home team attempted to reshuffle with changes, including bringing on new energy in the air by replacing players and tweaking the midfield structure, but the visitors held firm.

Francisco attempted to alter the course by reinforcing the attack and making substitutions to improve balance around the central areas. The influence of Gonzalez, Verdú, and Raul Guti came on in a bid to bolster the center of the park and improve ball retention. Despite these changes, Elche could not convert chances and found themselves chasing the game again, as Edgar Badia made two crucial saves to keep the scoreline within reach for his side.

The game shifted with Elche pushing higher up the pitch and Real Sociedad adopting a more conservative approach. Aguacil also adjusted his lineup by withdrawing Rafinha and Sorloth in an effort to preserve the lead and tighten the defense. Real Sociedad then rested on their laurels, trusting a compact backline while continuing to threaten on the break.

Elche did push forward with urgency in the closing stages, but opportunities remained scarce as the visitors managed to close down the space. The final moments saw a renewed effort from the home team, with a significant push into the San Sebastian half and a late corner kick that kept supporters hopeful, even as the clock wound down.

The match ended with Real Sociedad securing a hard-fought win and Elche suffering a third league loss in a row. Although Elche still sit above the relegation threshold by a four-point cushion, Antonio Francisco’s side must respond quickly. Next Saturday’s clash against direct rivals Mallorca, a team just three points behind, looms as a critical test in avoiding further trouble for the season.

Images from the match between Elche CF and Real Sociedad capture the intensity of the contest and the moments that defined the result. MATHIAS SEGARRA

The visitors controlled much of the match as Isak continued to threaten and Silva orchestrated play from the midfield. Elche found some rhythm in patches, with Badia again proving decisive on several occasions, but the gap proved too large to overcome in the final third. The afternoon ended with Real Sociedad taking home all three points and Elche left to reflect on what adjustments are needed to reverse their recent run of form.

In the end, the scoreboard told the story: Real Sociedad deserved the victory after an assured display, while Elche must bounce back quickly to climb clear of danger and rebuild confidence ahead of a pivotal run-in.