Unbelievable but true. Elche CF hosted Cartagena with hopes of securing a fifth straight home win and climbing into playoff positions. Óscar Plano opened the scoring with a clinical strike, hinting at a comfortable afternoon for the Franjiverdes, only to be halted by a relentless Cartagena comeback.
Elche-Cartagena is a very encouraging match
In the early stages, Elche looked dominant and composed. The team pressed high, controlled possession, and created chances. However, the second half brought a dramatic shift as Cartagena seized control and turned the game on its head with two goals from a determined striker, shifting the momentum in favor of the visitors.
Overconfidence here proved costly as Elche failed to convert their dominance into a secure result. The home side missed a precious opportunity to solidify a top-half position, while Cartagena moved away from the relegation zone in a crucial moment of the season.
Beccacece restored balance by recalling the starting XI, and his players adjusted well to the Argentinian coach’s approach in the opening 45 minutes. Franjiverdes controlled the tempo, suffocating Cartagena with tight defense while probing for openings in the opposing back line. Patience and calm ball movement characterized their approach as they sought gaps to exploit.
Mourad tested the defense midway through the first half, and Gonzalo Verdú blocked the effort. Nico Castro also tried from distance, but the attempt was saved by the Cartagena keeper. This sequence underscored Elche’s persistence in breaking through a well-organized defense.
Gonzalo Verdú: “It would be a great happiness if Elche were promoted, but I will go to win with Cartagena on Sunday”
The visitors showed no sign of backing down as the game progressed. In the 18th minute Elche seized the lead after Áleix Febas recovered a loose ball at a near-post corner and sparked a swift counterattack. Óscar Plano converted a finish that deflected off the post and into the net, giving Elche a deserved 1-0 advantage and highlighting the home side’s early control. The goal reflected Elche’s dominance in the opening exchanges and Plano’s scoring prowess for the league season.
The scoreline invited Cartagena to push forward after the interval. Elche waited for counter opportunities but Cartagena, spurred by a tactical shift, pressed higher and created danger with relentless forward runs. A close-range effort from Ortuño after a defensive lapse brought the match level at 1-1, feeding the visitors’ momentum and cooling the home crowd’s expectations.
With the score tied, Cartagena committed more bodies forward. The balance of play shifted again when Ortuño found space to chest the ball down and fire past the Elche goalkeeper, giving Cartagena a 1-2 lead late in the game. The turnaround stunned the home supporters and altered the relegation battle landscape for both teams.
Elche reacted with urgency as the clock wound down, but the late pressure did not translate into an equalizer. Beccacece made further adjustments to maximize attacking options, but Cartagena held firm, denying late opportunities and securing a crucial three points.
The defeat was a difficult blow for Elche, who had entered the second half with confidence and intent. The results elsewhere in the league would still keep them within striking distance of the playoff places, but the narrative shifted on this day as Cartagena claimed a well-earned victory and broke away from the bottom of the table.
Beccacece: “The responsibility is mine, we stopped playing in the second half”
The coach acknowledged the mistake of underestimating the moment and emphasized the need for discipline in the second half. The match’s decisive moment came when Cartagena altered its approach after the break, a change that left Elche vulnerable and unable to sustain their early tempo. The team now focuses on upcoming fixtures, facing tough opponents in the run to the end of the year.
DATA SHEET:
Elche: Edgar Badia, Josan, Mario Gaspar, Pedro Bigas, Carlos Clerc, Áleix Febas, Nico Castro (Cristian Salvador, m.63), Nico Fernández, Tete Morente, Óscar Plano and Mourad (Borja Garcés, m.63).
Cartagena: Marc Martínez, Iván Calero, Alcalá, Gonzalo Verdú, Fontán, Alarcón, Luis Muñoz (Mikel Rico, m. 90), Héctor Hevel (Lautaro de León, m. 46), Jansson, Juan Carlos Real (Musto, m. 46) and Juanjo Narváez (Ortuño, d.46).
GOALS: 1-0 m.18 Óscar Plano, 1-1 m.66 Ortuño, 1-2 m.83 Ortuño.
JUDGE: Milla Alvéniz. Yellow cards: Morente, Jansson, Verdú, Fontán, Borja Garcés, Ortuño, Bigas.
STADIUM: Martínez Valero in front of 15,452 spectators.