Elche put on a sensational display, crushing UD Las Palmas 4-0 to secure their place in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. The Ilicitano team dominated the match from the first minute, controlling possession and putting pressure on their higher-tier opponents. Las Palmas struggled defensively and failed to break through, with their goalkeeper Horkas being the only reason the scoreline wasn’t more lopsided, saving multiple chances from Elche’s attack.
The match began with Elche dictating play, pressing high and forcing Las Palmas to defend in their own half. Diaby kicked off the action with a long-range shot, while the team primarily focused on attacking through the left wing. Elche’s offensive play put Horkas in the spotlight as he made a series of crucial saves. He blocked a close-range attempt from Yago De Santiago and then reacted swiftly to stop a curling shot from Rodrigo Mendoza.
Las Palmas, barely seeing the ball, resorted to long passes upfield for striker Fábio Silva, but the Elche defense, led by Affengruber, easily neutralized this threat. The pressure kept mounting for the visitors, and just before halftime, Elche broke the deadlock. A well-executed play between Affengruber and Nico Castro found Rodrigo Mendoza, who finished with precision to give Elche a deserved 1-0 lead.
Las Palmas had a fleeting moment of hope when they made a tactical switch at halftime, introducing Mika Mármol and Moleiro. The visitors found more possession and created a couple of chances within minutes, including a shot on goal. However, Elche’s response was immediate, and the match’s momentum swung back in their favor. A well-delivered free kick by Yago de Santiago was met by a towering header from Affengruber, extending Elche’s lead to 2-0.
The second goal deflated Las Palmas, and Elche smelled blood. Just moments later, Nico Fernández found himself in a one-on-one situation with Horkas, but the goalkeeper made an incredible save to keep his team alive. However, Elche didn’t take long to capitalize on their dominance, as Salinas struck with a brilliant volley from a poorly cleared ball by Marvin. This third goal crushed any hope Las Palmas had of staging a comeback.
At 3-0 up, Elche took a step back, allowing Las Palmas more possession, but the visitors were unable to capitalize. Their defense was exposed, and Elche took full advantage. Nico Fernández netted the fourth goal, finishing off a lovely pass from his compatriot Nico Castro, further burying any chances for Las Palmas.
Image Credit ElcheCF
With the match well and truly decided, Elche’s coach Eder Sarabia gave minutes to his fringe players, while Las Palmas, desperate to salvage some pride, pushed forward for a consolation goal. However, goalkeeper San Román stood firm, denying any potential for a late strike from Las Palmas. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive 4-0 victory for Elche, who thoroughly deserved their spot in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals after a stunning performance. The team showcased a dynamic, attacking style that left Las Palmas struggling to keep up.
Image credit – Elche FC
