Football, at its best, carries a beauty that can turn into a brutal test in an instant. In the season’s brightest moments, Elche appeared to be riding a crest of form, flirting with playoff places, until Amorebieta—an upstart that had collected only three victories all season—arrived and unsettled the idyll. A single result shifted the mood from certainty to caution, waking them from a sweet dream. [citation needed]
The decisive moment came when Dorrio netted in the 56th minute, breaking Franjiverde hopes and anchoring the Basque side to a path of stubborn possibilities through this victory. Elche, by contrast, fought to keep their aspirations alive but found themselves unable to convert chances into a lead that could change the trajectory of the game. [citation needed]
Throughout most of the 90 minutes Elche dominated the play, controlling the tempo and pressing high for long stretches, yet they paid a price for sloppiness in the final third, failing to capitalize on several clear opportunities, including one where Mourad found himself unmarked but the promising finish eluded him. [citation needed]
That setback snapped Elche’s five-game run without defeat or conceding, a streak that had lent them confidence and momentum heading into the clash. [citation needed]
Beccacece made only one tactical alteration to the starting XI, handing Rodrigo Mendoza a starting berth on the left flank in place of Tete Morente, who was left out for precaution due to muscle discomfort accumulated during the week. He remained part of the regular five-man starting group. [citation needed]
The match began with both sides probing for openings through quick transitions and pressing after turnovers. Amorebieta started with the early initiative, but Rayco failed to convert under pressure. [citation needed]
As minutes passed, Franjiverdes grew into the affair, with Nico Castro pulling strings in the attacking phase, aided by Nico Fernández Mercau and Mendoza. Clerc enjoyed greater freedom down the left in Morente’s absence, often stepping in as a third centre-back to help recycle possession, while Carreira and Mario Gaspar found space to advance along the right flank. [citation needed]
Clerc’s long-range attempt skimmed wide as he sought to open the scoring. The Basques crafted their best chance of the first half in the 17th minute when Álvaro Núñez delivered from the left and Dorrio’s attempt was deftly parried by Dituro, who had little to do in the opening period. [citation needed]
Elche came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute when Nico Castro, showing why he was one of their standout performers in the opening half, struck a shot against the crossbar. Pablo Campos brushed the ball with the fingertips but Beccacece’s side could not profit from the rebound as the ball did not cross the line. [citation needed]
The visitors grew more comfortable as the half wore on. Rodrigo Mendoza attempted a spectacular strike from 30 meters that narrowly missed the target, a moment that captured Elche’s ambition if not the outcome. [citation needed]
Another sharp ball from Nico Castro into the box saw Carreira nearly turning it into a scoring chance, only for the finish to drift off target as the half wound down. [citation needed]
In midfield, Jandro’s squad pressed Amorebieta into defensive work, with Febas losing a dangerous ball that Unzeta sent high over the bar. The first half ended goalless, but Elche left the field encouraged by their control and intent. [citation needed]
The second half began with Amorebieta raising their level. A warning from Carbonell’s counterattack signaled what was to come, and the breakthrough arrived in the 56th minute. Álvaro Núñez intercepted Rodrigo Mendoza’s pass on the right, delivered a precise cross into the box, and Dorrio rose to meet it, beating the defenders and finding the back of the net. A jolt of reality hit Elche, who suddenly faced a difficult task. [citation needed]
The goal changed the dynamic. Beccacece responded by reshaping his plan, making three changes in one go: Josan, Sergio Bermejo, and Mourad came on to replace Mario Gaspar, Nico Fernández, and another injured player; Manu Nieto also entered the fray. The aim was clear—restoring balance and seeking an equalizer. [citation needed]
Elche pressed forward as Josan delivered a dangerous cross into the area but failed to find a finishing touch. Garcés then replaced Febas, shifting Elche to a two-striker formation as Amorebieta retreated behind the ball to protect the precious three points. [citation needed]
On the counter, the Biscayan side looked to turn the screw. An opportunity for a second arrived when Unzeta sent a ball into the box that Sibo could not finish. Elche continued to push for the equalizer, with Mourad nearly capitalizing on a cross from Rodrigo Mendoza and Garcés testing the goalkeeper again with a shot that forced a save. [citation needed]
The clearest moment for Nico Castro came when he threaded a perfectly weighted ball into space; Josan could not deny the momentum as Crevillentino stretched to deny Pablo Campos and the ball fell centrally to the Spanish-Moroccan striker, who blasted it toward the goal but could not complete the comeback. The ball crashed into the heart of the box and Elche’s hopes dimmed as the clock ran down. [citation needed]
With the clock ticking, Elche defended with solvency but failed to break through. Nervousness crept in among the players as they searched for the equalizer and could not find the necessary cutting edge. The result left Elche without a goal and the promotion push at risk. [citation needed]
The defeat ended a strong stretch for the Franjiverdes and bumped them away from the promotion spots, dashing the revival they had staged in recent days. [citation needed]
Next Sunday at 21:00, a crucial home match against Eibar, a direct rival in the battle for promotion, looms large. [citation needed]
The lack of goals in this winter window persisted for Elche, who again left the field without a finish that could change the standings. [citation needed]
DATA SHEET:
Amorebieta: Pablo Campos, Álvaro Núñez (Gayá, min. 84), Bustinza, Etxeita, Félix Garrate, Carbonell (Yriarte, min. 72), Sibo, Dorrio, Seguín (Jorge Mier, min. 72), Unzeta (Edwars, min. 79), Rayco (Jauregui, min. 79).
Elche: Dituro, Carreira, Mario Gaspar (Josan, min. 60), Pedro Bigas (Salinas, min. 88), Carlos Clerc, John, Áleix Febas (Borja Garcés, min. 74), Nico Castro, Rodrigo Mendoza, Nico Fernández (Sergio Bermejo, min. 60), Manu Nieto (Mourad, min. 60)
JUECE: González Díaz from the Asturian school. no card
AREA: The match was played at the Athletic Club de Bilbao facilities in Lezama in front of approximately 1,500 spectators. Among them there is a small group of green franchise fans.