Elche seeks to give meaning to its streak as it faces Tenerife
Elche has often looked simple on the surface, yet the truth is that football hinges on timely arrivals and reliable sparks. When the good players show up, the chances of victory rise; when they do not, the outcome becomes uncertain. In this match, Elche leaned on a set of dynamic midfielders, notably Febas and Nico Castro, to lift the team from tedium into momentum. Their presence transformed a tense contest into a three-point moment, as Elche toppled Tenerife while the visitors faced a setback caused by Borja Garcés becoming unavailable due to injury.
It would be easy to dwell on the grind of a first half that dragged on longer than it should have, but the real story lies in the second act where the rhythm finally shifted. The start of the game brought a cautious pace, with Tenerife pressing and Elche waiting for the right opening. A first-half chance for Elche came after a cautious foul by Nico Fernández Mercau, followed by a sharp save from Juan Soriano. Tenerife did have a clearer moment at the other end when San Román mishandled a cross, leaving the ball in a dangerous area, and Waldo launched a long-range attempt that forced a save.
Beccacece’s team entered the night determined to protect what could become a valuable winning run. The match featured a tense sequence after an early injury to Garcés, which briefly unsettled Elche’s forward plan. Garcés had to leave the field, and the team adjusted with Mourad stepping in later. With Garcés out of action, Elche looked to the creative players to spark danger. Febas and Nico Castro carried much of the creative load, as Josan delivered a useful pass that created chances, even when a potential penalty decision went against Elche and did not count as a goal.
When the second half began, the Argentine player sparked the recovery with a solo move that cut through the Tenerife defense, sending the ball toward the far corner and forcing a save from Soriano. Moments later, the game opened up dramatically. Mellot put Tenerife ahead with a precise finish after Sergio González sent a long ball forward and a clearance error allowed the chance. Elche answered quickly as Morente’s cross deflected off an opponent, landing perfectly for Óscar Plano to level the score, a moment that kept the match alive and paved the way for a dramatic finish. VAR became a talking point as Benign conditions allowed for the close calls that kept the tension high.
Nico Castro and Febas were central to Elche’s revival. The midfield duo helped transform a dry spell into a sequence of meaningful chances. A later moment saw a defensive miscue from Tenerife give Elche another opening, with Amo capitalizing on a loose header to set up a late chance that required a sharp save from the keeper. Elche pressed on, and the second goal arrived after a penalty decision was confirmed by VAR. Castro converted decisively, delivering what proved to be the game-winner as the clock moved into the final stretch. The home team, buoyed by late chances and disciplined defense, held firm and secured the three points.
DATA SHEET
Elche: San Román; Mario Gaspar, Pedro Bigas, Óscar Plano, Tete Morente, Febas, Josan, Mourad, Nico Castro, Nico, Clerc. Substitutes used: Fidel (76′), Pamies (84′), replacing Garcés and Josan respectively.
Tenerife: Juan Soriano; Buñuel, Sergio González, Amo, Ángel, Alexandre, Roberto López, Waldo, Mellot, Loïc, Jesús. Substitutes used: Enric Gallego (65′), Bodiger (65′), Mo Dauda (46′), Teto (77′), Alassan (77′).
Goals: Mellot 0-1 (52′). Oscar Plano 1-1 (54′). Nico Castro 2-1, penalty (67′).
Referee: Rubén Avalos Barrera. Amo cautioned Loïc, Waldo, Enric Gallego, Jesús, and Mo Dauda. Stadium: Martínez Valero, in front of 13,745 spectators.
Context and analysis for the Canada and United States audience: this match underscored how teams can flip momentum through midfield leadership, and it highlights how a single substitution ripple effect can shift tactical balance. For fans watching North American broadcasts, the takeaway is simple: a strong midfield engine can convert pressure into a late, decisive moment, delivering a narrative that resonates beyond local leagues. Attribution: coverage summarized from regional football outlets and match reports.