Elche CF suffered another defeat in LaLiga EA SPORTS, losing 3-2 to Real Racing de Santander on matchday 3. The green-and-white team arrived late to the game, conceding a first-half hat-trick from Yassir Zabiri that proved decisive.
This result leaves Elche CF stuck in 19th place in the table, with just one point from their first three games and a record of zero wins, one draw, and two losses. The team has scored three goals but conceded nine, resulting in a negative six goal difference. They also trail league leaders Real Madrid by eight points.
What happened in the Santander match?
The match at the Campos de Sport de El Sardinero, attended by 22,496 spectators, was a nightmare for Elche CF in the first 45 minutes. Racing's forward Yassir Zabiri scored in the 15th, 21st, and 36th minutes, completing a hat-trick that overwhelmed the defense organized by manager Martín Anselmi. The visiting side, who started with Dituro in goal and a five-man defense featuring Chust, Affengruber, and Bigas, offered a very poor first half with little opposition.
The reaction came after halftime. Following changes at the break, with 'Tete' Morente and 'Eze' Ponce coming on, Elche improved significantly. Sangaré pulled one back in the 78th minute and, just two minutes later, 'Fer' Niño scored his first official goal for the club. The match, refereed by Carlos Muñiz Muñoz, lasted 96 minutes and had some incidents, including a foul by 'Facu' Buonanotte on Gustavo Puerta that could have been a red card.
How does this affect Elche CF's league position?
The defeat solidifies Elche CF's place in the relegation zone. With just one point, the team urgently needs to start winning to climb out of the bottom three. This marks the eighth consecutive time Elche has lost at El Sardinero in the top flight, a poor run stretching back years. Racing, who also had one point before the game, secured their first win.
The situation is complicated by current absentees. Adam Boayar and Yago Santiago are currently sidelined, limiting manager Martín Anselmi's options. You can check the status of the squad for more details. The team needs reinforcements in all areas, starting with the attack, to reverse this negative trend.
What changes did manager Martín Anselmi make?
Anselmi made five substitutions during the match in an attempt to mount a comeback. At halftime, he replaced Ali Houary with 'Tete' Morente and Marc Aguado with 'Eze' Ponce. Later, in the 62nd minute, Javi Morcillo came on for Bigas. Lucas Cepeda replaced 'Facu' Buonanotte in the 69th, and Josan took over from Sangaré in the closing minutes. The team alternated between a 1-5-4-1 and a 1-3-4-2-1 system, with Víctor Chust even playing 17 minutes as a defensive pivot.
For Racing, manager José Alberto López also used his bench. He brought on Prati for Andrés Martín in the 59th minute, and in the 69th made a triple change: Guliashvili for Íñigo Vicente, Villalibre for the hero Zabiri, and Maguette for Canales near the end.
What's next for Elche CF?
Elche CF's next fixture is critical. On Monday, September 7th, they will host Real Sociedad at home, a team currently in 14th place. It will be an opportunity to end the poor run and secure the first three points of the season in front of their own fans. Planning for that match is already underway, and fans can follow the schedule on our fixtures page.
The need for a reaction is immediate. With the current squad and injury absences, the team must quickly find the defensive solidity that was missing in Santander and capitalize on the attacking momentum shown in the second half. The current standings, which you can view on standings, leave little room for error.
