INFORMATION
The electric energy at Nuevo Pepico Amat created a historic backdrop as 5,735 fans packed the stands to witness Eldense host Espanyol. It marked a record crowd at the venue since it opened in 2012, a sea of supporters showing unwavering backing for the home side.
Head coach Fernando Estévez kept the core of the lineup that defeated Amorebieta in Lezama, making one change: Soberón made way for Juanto. It felt like a David versus Goliath moment, with Eldense facing a confident Blaugrana unit that began with momentum. A measured strike from Marc Mateu from distance opened the day, and eight minutes later Bernal drew a foul that sparked a passionate eruption from the stands as Eldense took a 1-0 lead.
After a few exchanges near the edge of the area, Íñigo Piña carved out space and delivered a precise pass through pressure for Iván Chapela, who finished past Pacheco to claim the opening goal. Eldense pressed on, seeking to extend their advantage in those early stages, while Espanyol adjusted to the rhythm of the match.
Eldense takes a new step toward safety
David Marine
Following several scrambles around the box, Iván Chapela found a pocket of space and sent a perfect ball through the defense for Iván Chapela to beat Pacheco, opening the scoring. The home side pressed again, hoping to solidify the lead as Espanyol struggled to mount meaningful attacks.
Birds in the nest
The advantage was short-lived as Espanyol surged forward, and in the sixteenth minute a stoppage erupted after a clash involving visiting fans. In the chaos, Íñigo Piña accidentally redirected the ball into his own goal, leveling the score at 1-1. Espanyol pushed to seize control, but finishing touches eluded them. Pere Milla tested the defense from the right but could not convert.
The game intensified, and a handball by Sergio Ortuño inside the box drew the referee’s attention and a var-assisted penalty. Braithwaite stepped up and converted decisively, giving the Catalans a 1-2 lead just before halftime. The visitors looked ready to carry momentum into the break, but Eldense showed resilience.
Braithwaite’s penalty miss would have shifted the rhythm, yet his subsequent performances kept Espanyol dangerous. The closest Eldense came to restoring parity before the break was a set-piece moment that required one more spark of magic.
Barça’s reaction
The referee extended the first half with thirteen minutes of stoppage time. In the ensuing play, Dumic leveled the score for Eldense with a powerful header from a corner delivered by Marc Mateu, restoring the 2-2 balance. A brief pause followed when a fan suffered heat-related distress, drawing concern before the game resumed.
Eldense pressed on. Clemente delivered a corner and Chapela attacked it with a powerful header, steering the ball into the net to give Eldense a 3-2 lead just before the break. The Cadiz and Blaugrana contingents erupted in celebration, reacting to the decision of the official with visible emotion.
After the break, the pace remained high as both teams chased another goal. Eldense continued to be the aggressor, pressing through the midfield while Espanyol looked to weather the storm. By the 55th minute, Eldense found space again, with a Mateu corner headed on by Chapela and Sergio Ortuño forcing the ball home from close range.
3-2 became the soundtrack as Eldense seized control and pushed their advantage. The home defense steadied, repelling Espanyol’s attempts to respond as the crowd roared, sensing a turning point in Eldense’s season.
Estévez answered the pressure with a tactical substitution in the 73rd minute, bringing Mo Dauda on for Iván Chapela. Dauda returned in the 77th minute, testing the keeper with a firm shot after another corner. Espanyol pressed to level, but Eldense’s back line held firm in the late stages.
As the final whistle blew, Eldense’s fans left the stadium buoyed by renewed belief. The victory extended the club’s home-winning streak and nudged them closer to safety, stabilizing their position in the league and easing relegation fears.
MATCH COMMITTEE
CD Eldense (3): Aceves; Toni Abad, Dumic, Íñigo Piña, Marc Mateu; Jesús Clemente (Pedro Capó min. 90), Sergio Ortuño, Timor Silva (Cris Montes min. 90), Álex Bernal (Jorquera min. 83); Soberón (Juanto Ortuño min. 83), Iván Chapela (Mo Dauda min. 72).
RCD Espanyol (2): Pacheco; Óscar Gil, Sergi Gómez, Cabrera, Brian Olivar; Salvi Sánchez (Keita Balde min. 56), Aguado (Keidi Bare min. 56), Pol Lozano, Edu Expósito (Jofre min. 9); Braithwaite, Pere Milla.
Goals: 1-0 Iván Chapela (min. 10), 1-1 Íñigo Piña PP (min. 19), 1-2 Braithwaite (min. 45), 2-2 Iván Chapela (min. 45+13), 3-2 Sergio Ortuño (min. 55).
Referee: González Esteban (Basque Committee). He issued yellow cards to local players David Timor and Íñigo Piña. Martin Braithwaite and Brian Olvián on the visiting side.
Events: The match, aligning with the 24th day of the Hypermotion League (Second League), attracted 5,735 spectators to the Nuevo Pepico Amat Stadium.