Elche CF entered the match as the clear favorite and delivered a convincing result, defeating Guadalajara 0-3 in the Copa del Rey clash. The scoreline, however, didn’t tell the full story, as Elche earned the goal only in the final minutes. The visitors from Guadalajara pressed hard for most of the game, testing the Elche defense and keeper Edgar Badia, while Elche balanced cautious defending with sharp counters.
With this win, the new coach, Pablo Machín, begins his tenure with a victory that carries importance for reinforcing the team’s ideas of work and collective play as they shift focus to the more demanding La Liga schedule ahead.
It was not a flawless performance. Heavy rain left the surface slick, hampering ball circulation and reducing playing intensity. Yet Frangiverdes seized their moments, opening the scoring in the early stages through Pere Milla, and later extending the lead with goals from Ponce and Tete Morente, sealing the tie in the closing phase.
As planned, Machín named a very recognizable lineup, suggesting the starting XI that might continue into the league match against Atletico Madrid at the Civitas Metropolitano on Thursday, 29 December. The tactical approach featured three defenders, with Helibelton Palacios, Gonzalo Verdú, and Pedro Bigas at the back, Josan and Carlos Clerc providing width on the flanks, and a double pivot of Omar Mascarell and Gerard Gumbau in midfield. Pere Milla operated as a central midfielder, with Lucas Boyé and Roger Martí up front as the primary attacking outlets.
The opening minutes saw Elche take control. By the 5th minute, Bigas sent a ball from midfield into the penalty area where Pere Milla rose to head past the goalkeeper, putting Elche ahead 0-1 and signaling the visitors’ intent to press high and move the ball quickly in attack.
Elche’s early advantage helped calm nerves and set the tone for much of the first half. The home side, facing a strong Elche press, attempted to respond with crosses and long balls, but Edgar Badia remained secure between the posts, marshaling his defense with confidence. The rain continued to complicate play, affecting ball control and tempos on both sides.
Pere Milla doubled Elche’s lead in the 14th minute after a quick counter involving Pedro Bigas, followed by a precise pass from Roger Martí. The finish, however, was met with a sharp save by the Guadalajara goalkeeper, underscoring the match’s competitive balance despite the two-goal gap on the scoreboard.
Lucas Boyé had another chance around the 20th minute, but the Guadalajara keeper again kept the scoreline from widening. The hosts, not to be outdone, sought to respond with set pieces and crosses, yet the Elche defense, aided by a vigilant Badia, remained organized as the interval neared with the visitors maintaining a slender lead.
After the break, Guadalajara appeared eager to level the score, pressing with intensity in the early stages but met with solid defensive organization from Elche. The match also saw an injury to Josan, a blow that temporarily disrupted Elche’s rhythm. He received treatment on the sidelines before being replaced, and the team adapted quickly to the change with Tete Morente entering the fray in the second half.
Guadalajara pressed high and tested Badia with several attempts, including a couple of close offside opportunities and one notable save on a back-post header. Yet Elche’s defense remained disciplined, and the visitors capitalized on a late counter to seal the tie: a well-executed sequence finished by Ponce in the 81st minute and a final strike from Tete Morente in the 92nd minute, extending the advantage to 0-3 and ensuring Elche progressed to the next round.
With the tie secured, the Elche coaching staff decided to manage the match with control rather than risk, bringing on Diego González and Álex Collado to rest Boyé and Verdú in the closing minutes. In the closing stages, Raúl Guti and Tete Morente contributed to the attack, while Elche maintained sufficient balance to prevent Guadalajara from mounting a late comeback.
The final moments saw Elche circulating the ball calmly, safeguarding their advantage and ensuring the result reflected the team’s performance over the 90 minutes. The clean sheet and the three goals provided a welcome boost for a squad in need of positive momentum as they prepare for a demanding La Liga schedule and the February Cup rounds. Elche’s supporters could savor a comfortable result while recognizing room for improvement in positional discipline, ball retention under pressure, and the consistency of the attacking transitions.
DATA SHEET: Guadalajara lineup featured Samu Pérez and a rotation of substitutes, while Elche lined up with Edgar Badia in goal, a back trio of Palacios, Verdú, and Bigas, wing options Clerc and Josan, the midfield duo Mascarell and Gumbau, Pere Milla alongside Roger Martí and Lucas Boyé as the attacking trios, with Diego González and Álex Collado serving as late-game options. Targets: Pere Milla 0-1, Ponce 0-2, Tete Morente 0-3. The match took place in front of approximately 4,000 spectators. This report is based on on-field events and team official notes. [Source attribution: ECF match report.]