Luck seemed to abandon Elche CF Youth as the Copa del Rey round 32 clash against Racing de Santander unfolded at Diego Quiles ground. The home side gathered strength from the crowd, with supporters filling the stands and even several first-team players in attendance, including captain Fidel Chavé and Gerado. The visitors faced a determined Elche squad that approached the game with real optimism and confidence.
The Elche team arrived with clear preparation and a sense of purpose. Nordin, Ali Houany, and Didac had previously trained with the A team and featured for the reserve squad tonight. They formed part of the starting lineup, bringing experience from higher levels. Adam, who has already broken into the first team this season across La Liga Hypermotion and Copa del Rey fixtures, also appeared for Elche early in the proceedings.
The atmosphere around the match was electric, even though both sides showed respect for the opponent and a cautious approach. The first half was tightly contested, with no goals as the teams traded chances and tested plastic nerves with disciplined defending. Elche found a spark just before the break, edging ahead as the clock ticked toward halftime.
Diego Quiles field attracted a sea of supporters, a reminder of the club’s growing passion and the community’s involvement in the journey. The home side carried that momentum into the second half, pushing to extend their lead and take control of the tie.
As the minutes wore on, Carlos Geraldo’s team continued to press. Adam came close to expanding the advantage on more than one occasion, while Vincent produced a solid attempt that was deftly saved by the Racing Santander goalkeeper. The contest remained tight, with Racing Santander showing resilience and moments of quality on the counterattack.
Franjiverdes pressed with persistence, maintaining a compact shape and looking to capitalize on any lapse from the visitors. The match remained goalless through regulation time, forcing extra time in a single-elimination format. The tension kept rising as both teams refused to concede, keeping hopes alive for a place in the next round.
In the extra period, the action intensified. Carrasco unleashed a powerful strike that struck the post in the 119th minute, denying Elche a late breakthrough. The scoreboard stayed level, pushing the outcome toward a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
The shootout began with Fran Gil finding the back of the net, while Andreu of Cantabria produced the first big save of the drama. The sequence shifted when Meca failed to convert a second opportunity, and Eugenio Herrero’s effort hit the post, bouncing away. On the other side, Racing de Santander found their rhythm, converting their despite early misses to claim a slender lead in the shootout sequence.
Adam and Nico finished their attempts for Elche, but Racing de Santander held on to convert four penalties and clinch the victory, 4-3, from the spot. The duel marked the end of Elche’s Juvenil Cup dream for this campaign, as the Cantabrians advanced with their success in the decisive penalties.
Elche had earned praise for reaching the round and demonstrating resilience throughout the campaign. The team had finished strong in the first round of their Division of Honor group, earning a second-place finish that allowed them to advance to this stage once more. The effort on the night reflected a young squad learning to navigate high-stakes knockout football and building a foundation for future cup runs.
In essence, the night served as a valuable experience for Elche Juvenil, highlighting the club’s commitment to youth development and competitive ambition in national cup competitions. The journey continues for the younger players, who will carry the lessons from this defeat into upcoming fixtures and seasons. [Source: AXEL ALVAREZ]