This Elche CF performance hints at staying in the top flight with a steady hand on the tiller. The match in the Balearic Islands felt almost surreal—not quite a sure thing yet, but a near reality. The Elche squad celebrated a decisive 3-0 victory at the Martínez Valero, drawing more than 20,000 spectators into a moment of shared triumph. The finish line loomed, and the path was becoming clearer with each passing minute.
Francisco made a bold statement in the starting XI, ringing in five changes and experimenting with different system arrangements. For the first time in the season, he lined up with three defenders Enzo Roco, Gonzalo Verdú and Pedro Bigas, alongside two wing options Josan and Mojica. With injuries to Lucas Boyé and Guido Carrillo, the midfield was filled with four players Mascarell, Raúl Guti, Fidel and Kike Pérez, leaving Ezequiel Ponce as the lone striker up front.
Mallorca replied with a compact setup, defending with five at the back and a solid midfield line, while Muriqi attempted to be the lone spear in attack.
The early phase of the game unfolded with a sturdy, vermilion defense that kept the tempo steady but not hurried. Elche pressed patiently, mindful that gaps would open with time. Ten minutes in, a cross from Fidel reached Raúl Guti who shifted play toward the far post. Fidel pounced on a deflection from Roco and found the net, but the offside flag later wiped the goal away. Ponce tried a centered ball that found no partner in the box, missing a crucial link to complete the attack.
By the 29th minute, Mallorca tested Elche’s resolve but could not convert. A rare moment of miscue opened the door for Elche, as a cross from Josan found a gap and a powerful shot from Jaume Costa gave Aguirre’s side a narrow advantage as the first half wound down.
The halftime break brought fresh legs and tactical tweaks. Javier Aguirre subbed in Take Kubo and Lee Kang In, and their energy was noticeable in the forward transitions. Shortly after, in the 57th minute, Fidel delivered a precise free kick from the left that found a crowded area. Pedro Bigas met the ball and steered it into the air, leaving Elche with a two-goal cushion and a growing sense of dominance over the Balearic rivals.
Mallorca did not relent. Kubo and Kang In continued to stretch the lines, but Elche’s backline held firm. Josan produced a crucial intervention to deny a clear shot from Muriqi, preserving the clean sheet as the match moved into its decisive phases.
Francisco began to reshuffle the lineup again, swapping Fidel for Pere Milla and Gumbau for Gutierrez to add fresh legs. The defense solidified further as Tete Morente moved to the right flank and Josan dropped back to help Mojica on the left. The visitors pressed for a late breakthrough, yet their efforts remained stifled by Elche’s disciplined structure.
In the 0-3, a pivotal moment sealed Mallorca’s fate. A long ball from Gumbau was poorly cleared and bounced off Sergio Rico’s attempted clearance, slipping into the net via an unfortunate deflection caused by Kang In. The own-goal sealed a memorable day for Elche, a testament to resilience and efficient execution under pressure.
Martínez Valero erupted in celebration. The stadium roared with the kind of energy that fans dream of—unrestrained, vibrant, and almost euphoric. The win pulled Elche to a strong 35 points, seven clear of relegation danger, and kept Cádiz within sight while maintaining momentum ahead of an upcoming fixture against Barcelona at the Camp Nou. The finish line felt within reach, with survival still well within their control for the season’s closing chapters.
DATA SHEET:
ELCH: Edgar Badia, Josan, Enzo Roco, Gonzalo Verdú, Pedro Bigas, Mojica, Mascarell, Raúl Guti, Fidel, Kike Pérez, Eze Ponce. Substitutes: Piatti, m. 70; Diego González, m. 85; Pere Milla, m. 66; Gumbau, n. 66; Tete Morente, m. 66.
MALLORCA:
Target goals: 1-0 at m. 41 by Mojica; 2-0 at m. 57 by Pedro Bigas; 3-0 an own goal from Kang In.
JUDGE: Sanchez Martínez from the Murcian school. Yellow cards: Brian Oliván, 45; Babá, 52; Pedro Bigas, 60; Ángel, 63; Omar Mascarell, 85.
ESTADIO: Martínez Valero, attendance 20,257