Elche earn first win of the season with 1-3 at RCDE Stadium

Elche picked up their first win of the season at RCDE Stadium, doing it in the toughest “Elche way”: standing strong when the match turned early. With an expulsion for Fede Redondo in the 6th minute, the game looked set to slip away, but the visitors regrouped and claimed a 1-3 victory over Espanyol.

Red card and immediate response

Elche arrived in Barcelona bottom of the table, with 2 points from 18, and as the league’s most conceded side along with Racing. They were also coming off a close loss to Real Madrid (2-3) just three days earlier. Still, the VAR-aided sending off at the 6th minute didn’t stop them: by halftime they were already in front 0-2, with two goals in three minutes.

In the second half, Elche managed the risk and held firm. The match tightened when Víctor Chust scored the 1-2 via an own goal in the 71st minute. Shortly after, Germán Valera restored the cushion with the 1-3, sealing the win.

Fer Niño takes centre stage

MARCA points to a clear standout: Fer Niño. His brace (the forward is 25) carried Elche to the victory and pushed his tally to five goals in seven league games, since he also scored versus Real Madrid (2-3). MARCA adds that two of his Barcelona goals came with assists from Roy Revivo.

The report also credits Dituro. Despite questions over recent mistakes, the Argentine goalkeeper started again and delivered a solid display.

With these five points, Elche move temporarily out of the relegation zone, pending results from Celta, Valencia and Málaga. After the international break, they return to league action against Celta on Sunday, October 11 at 14:00, and they will also look to improve at home, where they currently have three defeats, according to MARCA.