HE Getafe stepped back in their bid for salvation, choosing a cautious approach in the top flight clash against Elche. The result was a draw at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, a 1-1 stalemate that reflected a professional, measured performance from the home side while not taking unnecessary risks. The visitors observed that, despite the circumstances, every point mattered and the work ethic remained focused from first whistle to final breath.
The home team emphasized an immediate push for three points, a sense that their relegation-threatened adversaries could be exploited. Just seven minutes in, Carles Aleñá unleashed a clever move to elude two markers, freeing space for Damián Suárez on the right. Suárez delivered a precise ball across the area, and Munir’s outfit surged ahead with a well-placed finish at the far post, giving Getafe a lively start and signaling intent to seize control early on.
The reaction from Elche was swift. Randy Nteka launched a powerful strike from the quick transition, testing David Soria’s reflexes as the visitors tried to shift momentum. As the minutes passed, the pressure mounted for the home defense, with more late runs and shared opportunities highlighting a game that could swing in either direction on a moment’s notice.
Notifications on both sides underscored the high stakes. Getafe, though, began to settle after that initial surge, regaining control and building steady phases of play. The home side aimed to convert sustained possession into chances through patient buildup and quick transitions that kept the Elche defense on its toes, yet the finishing touches remained elusive for a time.
A long clearance from Soria dropped into the box and caused confusion as Enes Ünal challenged the goalkeeper against Damián Suárez. The Argentine forward adjusted his run and struck cleanly, but his shot lacked the required precision and skidded wide from danger, denying a potential equalizer in that moment of pressure.
Ünal himself then had another scoring opportunity, winning a loose ball near the sideline to set himself up for a strike. He approached confidently, but the angle and the moment combined to keep the shot from finding the net, leaving Elche’s defense breathing a sigh of relief as the ball drifted away from goal.
As the first half wound down, a sense of calm briefly settled over the stadium. However, the mood shifted abruptly when a midfield setback shook Getafe. Mauro Arambarri clutched a muscle issue and headed to the locker room, leaving the hosts to regroup as they approached the interval. The injury contributed to a temporary imbalance that Elche would try to exploit after the break.
The Elche goal threat reappeared in dramatic fashion with a spectacular header from Nteka that skimmed off the head of the goalkeeper and found the corner. A corner kick to the near post produced a scramble ending with Boyé guiding the ball into the net, a reminder of the air presence and improvisation that kept the contest closely poised and tense for both sides.
The second half opened with opportunities for both teams. Ünal’s long free kick tested the back line and keeper, while Nwankwo directed a header from a corner toward danger, nearly catching the crossbar on its way. Boyé later joined the attack with another dangerous foray, creating a moment that required Mitrovic to adjust and react as the ball changed direction in flight and forced a late intervention from the defense.
The tempo gradually tilted toward Getafe as guidance from the bench shaped a more aggressive approach. Bordalás introduced Gonzalo Villar and Latasa to spark renewed energy, signaling a willingness to take calculated risks to snatch a late winner. A clear chance arrived in the 75th minute when Mayoral found himself in space, only to see his shot drift wide, leaving the home supporters facing a lingering sense of what could have been if the execution had been sharper in the critical moment.
The closing stages carried a persistent push from Getafe, who remained determined to seal a victory that would stabilize their position in the table. Yet the visitors defended responsibly, and the final whistle confirmed a draw that reflected both teams’ commitment and the tight margins that define a relegation battle in the top division. It was a contest that rewarded resilience and quality in equal measure, while leaving both sides with lessons to take into the next round as they pursue survival and form improvements in the coming weeks.