Elche CF secured a sharp 3-1 away win against RCD Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Matchday 7, powered by a fast first-half brace from Fer Niño.
Clinical Elche Silence RCDE Stadium with Decisive Away Victory
Elche CF produced a ruthless attacking display to claim a commanding 3-1 victory over RCD Espanyol de Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium on Matchday 7 of La Liga. A rapid first-half double from Fer Niño set the tone for the visitors, while an authoritative late strike from Germán Valera put the result beyond doubt. See also: Gueye at the Double as Villarreal Fight Back to Overcome Malaga 3-1
Fast-Fire Double from Fer Niño Stuns Hosts
Espanyol started the encounter on the front foot, looking to dictate the tempo with prolonged spells of possession. However, Elche remained well-organised defensively and punished the home side during swift counter-attacks.
The breakthrough arrived in the 26th minute when Fer Niño latched onto a well-timed pass into the penalty box, finishing cleanly past the stranded goalkeeper to make it 1-0. Before Espanyol could regroup, Niño struck again just three minutes later. In the 29th minute, sharp wing play exposed gaps in the Catalan backline, allowing the forward to apply another composed touch into the net. The quickfire brace stunned the home supporters and gave the visitors a firm 2-0 cushion going into the break.
Espanyol Claw Back via Victor Chust Own Goal
Espanyol manager shuffled his options in the second half, introducing fresh legs to inject urgency into the final third. The hosts pressed higher up the pitch, delivering continuous crosses into the box.
That pressure eventually broke Elche’s defensive resistance in the 72nd minute. A dangerous cross into the danger zone caused utter confusion among the retreating defenders, leading to an unfortunate touch from Victor Chust that redirected the ball past his own goalkeeper. The own goal ignited hope for the home crowd, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 and setting up a tense finish.
Germán Valera Seals the Three Points
Just as Espanyol threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser, Elche delivered the knockout punch on the break. In the 78th minute, Germán Valera found space on the edge of the area, controlled smoothly, and drilled a precise finish into the corner to restore Elche’s two-goal advantage.
Valera’s strike extinguished Espanyol’s late fightback, allowing Elche to control the closing stages and seal a well-deserved 3-1 triumph on the road.