Elche CF secured a sweetest kind of relief after yesterday’s setback for Atlético Madrid and Mallorca’s draw in Seville ensured their mathematical safety. Relegation was no longer a threat; the team could breathe and focus on celebrating a place among the elite for next season.
The Franjiverdes nearly had the margin they needed for weeks, and only a final confirmation remained. At halftime, the results from Sánchez Pizjuán confirmed their fate, granting them the deserved reward. Elche will celebrate a centennial run in the top flight next season, a testament to how far the club has come since Francisco arrived, steering the squad toward greater ambition and rewarding consistency with tangible results just before the championship closes.
The night felt complete for both sides. Elche relished the liberation and watched as the possibility of qualifying for continental competition loomed, even though the focus was clearly on staying up and marking a historic milestone. From the opening whistle, the crowd had an eye on Sevilla, knowing perseverance could be rewarded if the day went well at Sánchez Pizjuán.
As the Mallorca match wrapped up, Martínez Valero erupted in joy, with chants of Elche, Elche! and the anthem proclaiming Elche’s rise to first class echoing around the stadium. After the interval, the players accepted the moment with applause, acknowledging the fans who stood by them throughout the campaign.
For more than 21,000 supporters, the atmosphere was rhythmic, entertaining, and free of the tension that a different scenario might have produced. The game started at high tempo as both teams probed the opposition goal. Atlético Madrid, confident on the ball and organized by Francisco, sought space through quick passes and set pieces.
Peter Milla opened the scoring, though his shot misfired. Juninha answered with a rising strike. Helibelton Palacios had a crucial moment, saving a potential breakaway by a defender who found himself in the prime position. Lucas Boyé, back from a month-long layoff, produced a sharp header as part of a positive early encounter.
The tempo increased as the visitors pressed. In the 27th minute, Simeone’s side took the lead through a well-worked sequence: a Lodi cross, a partial reorientation, and Griezmann setting up Cunha for a clean finish near the goal line after Peter Bigas’s effort.
Atlético retreated with the lead, and Elche pressed to level, though the visitors’ defense held firm. A late first-half scramble ended with a foul on a De Paul run, but the linesman ruled offside, keeping the advantage intact for the visitors.
During the break, the Elche locker room, and the fans, kept a close watch on Sevilla’s result. The conclusion at Sánchez Pizjuán offered a lifeline, signaling that Elche would remain in the top division for the following season.
The second half brought calmer nerves. Elche sought a party atmosphere, pushing for a draw and a final flourish while retaining control of the ball. Mascara saved a two-goal blast from Cunha’s attempt, preserving the visitors’ precarious advantage in the moment.
Francisco reacted with changes, bringing on Josan, Guido Carrillo, and Kike Pérez for Tete Morente, Lucas Boyé, and Fidel. The hosts dominated possession and crowded the box, yet they struggled to carve out clear chances due to precise defensive work from Atlético and moments of imprecise finishing by Elche.
Elche continued to press through the midfield, testing the visitors’ back line and trying to disrupt their rhythm. Griezmann anchored a sturdy wall in the middle, with Rodrigo De Paul and the Argentinian duo supporting the effort for Atlético.
Despite the scoreboard reading against them, the Franjiverdes showed fight. Francisco opted to rotate options, signaling the end of Pastore’s spell with the team after a 14-day absence, aiming to inject freshness and initiative into the attack. The crowd appreciated the energy and willingness to push for an intact result.
In the late stages, the stands grew louder as fans urged their team to finish with pride. A shot struck the crossbar, and a goal credited to Luis Suárez was ruled offside, adding to the drama of the moment.
The final verdict mattered less than the certainty of permanence. Elche would remain in the Primera División, celebrating a centennial season among Spain’s footballing greats and maintaining a place at the top of the table where the club belongs.
Crowning the night, the return to safety became a shared triumph for the fans and players alike. Elche’s supporters let out a collective cheer, the stadium ringing with chants of perseverance and triumph as the team ensured its spot in the elite for another season. The celebration echoed across the stands after the full-time whistle, a quiet testament to the work put in throughout the year and the promise of more to come.
In this moment, the club’s ascent was clear: a season of progress crowned by lasting league status, a centennial milestone achieved with unity, and a renewed sense of pride that will fuel the next chapter in Elche’s football story.