Elche’s Copa del Rey clash with Linares ends in a dramatic 1-3 comeback
Elche will enter the draw for the 32nd round of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday, December 12. The Elche squad had prevailed over Linares, a team from Primera RFEF, but the path to victory was far from simple as they battled to secure the win in the second round match against Linares.
The Franjiverdes controlled the action from the start. They finally broke through in the 57th minute when Borja Garcés found the net. Just three minutes later, Linares leveled through a set piece, the only shot on target they managed all game, bringing the score to 1-1 and reigniting the hosts’ hopes.
Beccacece did not like what he saw and made changes, removing several league starters including Nico Castro, Mourad, Clerc, Áleix Febas and Sergio León. Yet Febas reproduced his form by scoring a second for Elche, and shortly after Sergio León joined the party to make it 1-3, completing a lively scoring sequence.
The Elche coach kept rotating personnel as announced. In the most recent league match at Alcorcón, none of the starting XI for that game were in the lineup for this cup tie, underscoring Beccacece’s approach to squad management. Edgar Badía continued in goal, Carreira filled the right-back role, with Javi Pamies and Diego González anchoring the central defense alongside Salinas who operated as a versatile defender and attacker, mirroring Clerc’s league duties. The left-footed winger was Lautaro Blanco, stepping in for Tete Morente who was rested and did not make much progress in the match.
Midfield saw Cristian Salvador, Rodrigo Mendoza, Fidel and Adam replace Febas, Nico Castro, Nico Fernández and Óscar Plano, while Borja Garcés remained the reference point in attack. The lineup carried the same intent in spirit, even as names changed. The team began with focus and urgency, a directive from the Argentine coach that set the tone early on.
Within seconds of kickoff, Garcés almost opened the scoring, but the Linares goalkeeper Samu Casasdo managed to parry at the near post, keeping the match level. By the 12th minute, Elche’s pressure continued as the defense and the goalkeeper blocked Carrerira’s effort, one of the most active players in the first half. As the minutes passed, Linares started to gain more possession, but they did not create substantial danger to Edgar Badía’s goal.
Rain added to the challenge at the Municipal de Linarejos, a factor that made the cup tie feel even more dramatic. Beccacece’s team did not completely dominate, but they crafted two dangerous forays. Blanco, a right winger turned inside orbiter of attack, tried a long-range strike after Garcés’s shot had earlier gone wide, testing Linares’ resolve.
The game entered a tense phase with no scoreboard movement and the atmosphere charged with anticipation. It was time for adjustments, and Beccacece introduced changes for the second half. Fidel attempted a lob early after the restart, almost catching Casado off guard. Mourad left the field, and Nico Castro also departed as the coach reshuffled to regain control.
Elche asserted control again and took the lead in the 57th minute when Garcés found the far post to put his team ahead. The goal seemed to settle the tie, but Linares demonstrated resilience three minutes later. An infield foul allowed Samu Corral to convert from a ground ball, equaling the match and lifting the home crowd. The comeback momentum was clearly building.
Febas re-entered the fray and his quality quickly influenced the game. Nico Castro and Mourad stretched the advantage further with a composed finish, and the young Catalan, a product of the club’s development system, delivered a decisive moment by forcing a late opportunity that hit the post and slid toward Linares’ goal. Elche’s second goal felt like a turning point, though the match would still swing on a knife edge as Linares pressed for another equalizer.
Sergio León returned to add fuel to the fire in the closing minutes. He took advantage of a defensive lapse from Linares as the goalkeeper moved off his line and scored from a narrow angle, sealing a 1-3 victory for Elche after a dramatic finish. Despite the cup tying the action, Elche’s priority remains the league, though the coach hinted at keeping the cup push alive by managing minutes and reinforcements for upcoming rounds.
Two forwards, Garcés and Sergio León, added goals and boosted morale for the squad as they look ahead to more league fixtures. The team’s next challenge is scheduled for Friday, with the Round of 32 match potentially set at the Martínez Valero. It is likely to be against a Second Division opponent, which keeps the cup dream alive while staying focused on domestic competition.
DATA SHEET:
Linares Sports: Samu Casado, Dani Perejón, Molina, Rentero, Tano, Varela (Fran Ortuño, m.77), Rodri, Alberto Moreno (Pepe Mena, m.85), Hugo Díaz (Berlanga, m. 68), Llorente (Zaki, m.77) and Samu Casado (Javi Duarte, m.85).
Elche: Edgar Badía, Carreira, Pamies, Diego González, Salinas, Cristian Salvador, Rodrigo Mendoza (Nico Castro, m.56), Fidel (Áleix Febas, m.71), Lautaro Blanco (Carlos Clerc, m.56), Adam (Mourad, m.56) and Borja Garcés (Sergio León, m.79)
GOALS: 0-1 Borja Garcés, m.57. 1-1 Samu Valero, m.60, 1-2 Áleix Febas, m.82. 1-3 Sergio León, m.88.
REFEREE: Cid Camacho from the Castilian-Leonese school. Yellow T: Diego González (m.87) and Tano (m.93).
STADIUM: Linarejos Municipality, in front of approximately 5,000 spectators.