Elche CF is back where it belongs—among Spain’s footballing elite. After two seasons in the second tier, the Franjiverdes sealed their return to LaLiga EA Sports on Sunday with a commanding 4-0 win over Deportivo de La Coruña at the Abanca-Riazor Stadium. The result guaranteed a second-place finish in the table and secured the club’s seventh promotion to the First Division in its history.
With Eder Sarabia at the helm, Elche completed a remarkable turnaround from the disappointment of relegation just over two years ago. Sunday’s dominant performance ensured that the efforts of promotion rivals Mirandés and Real Oviedo were rendered meaningless, while Levante’s win kept Elche from finishing top—but that mattered little to the traveling fans and players, who celebrated wildly at the final whistle.
A Fast Start and Ruthless Execution
Elche wasted no time stamping their authority on the match. After an early defensive lapse that nearly gave Deportivo the lead, Elche responded with conviction. Mourad opened the scoring in the 7th minute after a well-worked move involving Óscar Plano. It was a composed finish that set the tone for the afternoon.
Minutes later, Elche doubled their lead through John, who headed home after a sequence of flick-ons in the penalty area. Before the half-hour mark, Germán Valera added the third, pouncing on a rebound following a shot from Nico Fernández. At 3-0, the contest was effectively over, and the 2,000-plus Elche supporters in attendance began their celebrations early.
Control and Composure After the Break
Deportivo struggled to muster a response. Despite changes from coach Óscar Gilsanz early in the second half, Elche remained firmly in control. The visitors dictated the pace, won key battles in midfield, and looked threatening every time they advanced into the final third.
Pedro Bigas capped the performance with a fourth goal in the 89th minute, a strike that summed up Elche’s superiority on the day. By then, attention had already turned to events elsewhere in the league, but with promotion secured, the focus quickly shifted to celebration.
Fan Support and Emotional Reflections
The win sparked jubilant scenes at Riazor and back in Elche, where close to 3,000 supporters welcomed the team’s return to the Martínez Valero Stadium later that evening. Head coach Eder Sarabia was emotional in his post-match comments, calling the match and venue “a part of our history.” Germán Valera praised the team’s character, saying, “We played with a lot of personality.”
With the promotion, Elche is projected to see its revenue exceed 50 million euros, giving the club a significant financial boost as it prepares for the challenge of LaLiga.
Tactical Setup and Key Performers
Sarabia deployed a three-man defense with John, Affengruber, and Bigas in front of goalkeeper Dituro. Álvaro Núñez and Valera operated as wing-backs, with Febas, Nico Castro, and Nico Fernández controlling midfield. Plano supported Mourad in attack, and both contributed directly to the team’s early goals.
Substitutions in the second half included Agustín Álvarez and Josan, who helped see out the match as Elche maintained intensity until the final whistle.
A Long Road Ends in Triumph
Exactly 761 days had passed since Elche’s relegation from the top flight was confirmed. Now, with the scars of that drop finally healed, the club returns to LaLiga stronger, more unified, and determined to stay.
For Elche CF, June 1, 2025, will be remembered not only as the day they returned to Spain’s top division, but as a statement of intent. Promotion wasn’t just earned—it was owned.
