Relegation battlers Cordoba and Elche met in La Liga's final game of the weekend on Sunday evening.
The hosts entered the game bottom of the table, while Elche dropped into the relegation zone 10 minutes before kickoff when Deportivo La Coruna claimed a point at Real Sociedad.
Both sides had chances in the first 45 minutes, but it was Elche that led at the interval courtesy of a free kick from Edu Albacar.
The visitors then scored a second through Mario Pasalic after 68 minutes to take a comfortable lead.
Cordoba could not launch a late response and were forced to finish the game with 10 men when Borja Garcia saw red late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel as Cordoba welcome Elche for what is a key game at the bottom of the table. The situation is not quite terminal for basement side Cordoba, but they are in desperate need of the points. The same can be said for Elche, however, who are just outside the relegation zone. It is a monumental match for both teams.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
CORDOBA: Carlos; Gunino, Luso, Pantic, Edimar; Garcia, Krhin; Ghilas, Fede, Bebe; Andone
ELCHE: Tyton; Suarez, Roco, Lomban, Albacar; Pasalic, Mosquera; Victor, Fajr, Aaron; Jonathas
So there we have it. Cordoba are still without suspended duo Jose Crespo and Dani Pinillos, while Inigo Lopez misses out through injury. Fede Cartabia, Nabil Ghilas and Bebe all start, however, as manager Jose Romero includes a host of forward-thinking players. Florin Andone will once again lead the line.
Elche boss Fran Escriba, meanwhile, has dropped Spaniard Coro to the bench, with Pedro Mosquera coming into the middle of the park. Aside from that, it is the team that was expected. Jonathas will once again lead the line with support in wide areas from Victor Rodriguez and Aaron Niguez.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Cordoba have won two of the last five matches, with Elche also winning once and the further two games ending in draws. One of those draws (2-2) occurred earlier this season as the points were shared in the reverse league match back in November. The last time that the pair met in this stadium was in 2012, when Cordoba recorded a 1-0 win.
Entering Wednesday's trip to Deportivo La Coruna, Cordoba had lost 10 straight league games and were within one defeat of matching Las Palmas' 11-game losing run back in 1960. It did appear that they would record a much-needed three points at fellow strugglers Deportivo, but they conceded an own goal three minutes from time as the points were shared in a 1-1 draw. As a result, Cordoba have not won in the league since early January and remain bottom of the table on just 19 points.
Cordoba are, of course, the overwhelming favourites to finish bottom of the table, but they have a slim chance of getting out of trouble. As it stands, they are nine points behind 17th-place Elche with eight games remaining. Home form has been a problem this season, however, with the newly-promoted club only winning one of their 15 league games in this stadium. They have also recorded three wins all season, but will need to at least double that in the final weeks of the campaign.
Elche, meanwhile, are far from safe at this stage of the season. A total of 28 points from their 30 games has left them in 17th position, just one point outside of the relegation zone. They beat Almeria 1-0 on March 7 to move clear of the bottom three, but have since gone four league games without a win – suffering three defeats – to drop back into trouble. The importance of this match is incredible.
BREAKING! Deportivo have just picked up a point at Real Sociedad, which has dropped Elche into the relegation zone. That is an indication of just how close it is at the bottom of the table.
Elche did manage to gain a point at Espanyol on Monday, but they were then beaten at home by Getafe on Thursday. Somewhat surprisingly, they have picked up points in seven of their 14 away league games this season, however, winning three times in the process. Both of these teams have some difficult fixtures coming up, which makes tonight even more important. Kickoff is imminent here...
PREDICTION! Score draw for me in this one, which does not really help either side. I am struggling to see either side collecting all the points, despite two attacking lineups. Prediction: Cordoba 1-1 Elche.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It is a massive game at the bottom of La Liga, make no mistake about it. The away side get the first 45 minutes underway.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. There is no margin for error for Cordoba. They surely have to win tonight. Who can start on the front foot...
... half-chance for the home side as Edimar delivers a sensational cross towards Andone, but Lomban just does enough to clear behind for a corner. Almost the perfect start for Cordoba tonight!
It has been a really bright start from Cordoba, with Bebe threatening in a wide area and Ghilas causing problems in the box. Elche just have not settled or indeed had any possession in the early stages.
Elche are being forced to defend their own box at the moment as Suarez rises to clear a cross from Cartabia. Cordoba really needed to start this game on the front foot and that has been the case.
CHANCE! Cordoba's bright start continues as Ghilas directs a header towards Andone, but the forward can only plant his header wide of the post. Elche just cannot get out of their own half here.
You just get the feeling that Cordoba need to score during this bright start. They have played some nice football at times this season, but ultimately not scored enough goals. Another half-chance arrives as Bebe delivers a super cross towards Luso, but the Spaniard can only poke his effort wide of the post.
It has taken 11 minutes for Elche to enjoy some sustained possession, but they have offered nothing in the final third thus far. Cordoba continue to threaten inside the away side's box, but Lomban just manages to clear ahead of Bebe, who has made a really bright start to this match. Still goalless.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Elche as they break with pace. Victor finds himself in a wide position before picking up Aaron Niguez inside the box, but his low effort is wide of the post.
Elche have just started to force the issue in the final third, with Victor and Aaron Niguez both involved. The former dances into the Cordoba box, but Edimar just manages to clear behind for a corner.
Elche have really come into the game in the last five minutes, with Cordoba now struggling to make their passes count in the final third. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in terms of the final result. Confidence is so important for both of these sides here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Elche are in control of the possession as they pass and probe in the final third. Cordoba have gone very quiet here.
Half-chance for the home side as Krhin finds space in a wide area, but his cross was always sailing over the crossbar. The midfielder might have been better putting his foot through that one there.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Fede dances through a host of challenges before trying his luck from just inside the box, but his effort moves high of the crossbar.
Elche responded to Cordoba's bright start, but the home side have now regained some control, with Fede making his presence known in the final third. It is a fascinating battle at the moment here.
There have been a number of late challenges in this game, but the referee has not yet issued a single yellow card. Both teams are enjoying spells in possession, but Cordoba are the more threatening in the final third. Just a reminder that Cordoba are currently nine points from safety in Spain's top flight.
The play continues to flow from end-to-end as we approach the latter stages of the first period.
Cordoba want a free kick as Andone goes down outside the Elche box, but the referee is not interested. Jonathas is straight down the other end for the visitors, but Gunino makes the block.
CHANCE! The ball drops for Borja Garcia inside the Elche box, but the midfielder's effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Again it was good work from Bebe, who has had a good first period.
Again it is good work from Ghilas as the on-loan Porto attacker faces up to his full-back before sliding a pass into Fede, but Suarez is across to clear as Cordoba force yet another corner from the left.
It must be said that this first period has flown past. Both sides have had chances, but thus far been unable to make the breakthrough. Little over five minutes of the first half remaining in Cordoba.
GOAL! Cordoba 0-1 Elche (Roco)
Elche take the lead with 41 minutes on the clock as Enzo Roco heads a deep free kick from Albacar into the back of the net. It is a bitter, bitter blow to Cordoba at this stage of proceedings.
It is currently unclear whether Roco actually made contact with Albacar's free kick. The goal may well be credited to the latter, but the most important thing is that Elche are indeed 1-0 ahead here.
CORRECTION: Cordoba 0-1 Elche (Albacar)
Albacar has been credited with the goal. Poor Roco!
Half-chance for Elche to score a second late in the half, but Pasalic fires straight at Carlos.
HALF-TIME: Cordoba 0-1 Elche
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Elche leading 1-0 courtesy of a free kick from Albacar, which looped straight into the back of the net. Cordoba started the better and have indeed had more clear opportunities, but the basement side are once again behind at home.
STATS! Cordoba have just about shaded the possession with 53%, but they have not yet hit the target despite having six attempts. Elche, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their four attempts. Somewhat surprisingly, there has not yet been a single booking despite some tasty challenges.
BENCH WATCH! Cordoba boss Heldon has a couple of obvious attacking options on his bench this evening, with both Heldon and Fidel capable of making an impact. Elche, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Cristian Herrera and Coro. Will either manager make a change at the interval?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. It is a massive 45 minutes in the race to remain in La Liga. The visitors get the second half underway here.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 15 or 20 minutes in this one.
As mentioned, there has not been a single yellow card in this game thus far, but I would be surprised if that remained the case. Cordoba have a free kick in a decent position, but Bebe cannot beat the first man. It does eventually fall for Andone, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the post.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a chance! Stunning opportunity for Elche to score a second as Pasalic finds himself all alone inside the Cordoba box, but he flashes his effort well wide of the post!
Good spell of pressure from the home side as Bebe twice delivers crosses from a wide area, but there are no takers inside the box and the danger is cleared. The attendance has been confirmed at little over 14,000 this evening and the majority inside the stadium are desperate for an equaliser here.
The crowd are just losing patience here, which is not good for Cordoba's confidence. There is still plenty of time to turn this one around, but every mistake is being greeted by groans here.
SUBS! Cordoba make a double change as Heldon and Vico replace Ghilas and Gunino.
Heldon's first involvement for the home side is not great as he fires into the stands from a wide position. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and Elche still lead this key match 1-0.
SUB! Elche make their first change as Cisma replaces Albacar.
Aaron Niguez finds space in a wide area for Elche, but before the Spaniard can cross, Heldon is back to make a very smart block. The resulting corner is delivered towards the near post, but Luso clears.
BOOKING! Lomban (Elche) is booked for a foul on Fede. First card of the game!
The La Liga table as it stands.
You just get the feeling that there is another major incident to occur in this match - a goal, a red card, something. Something is waiting to happen as we approach the final third of this key contest.
POST! Cordoba come close to levelling the scores as Krhin meets a deep free kick from Bebe, but his header hits the post. It is desperately unlucky for the home side, who still trail here.
Half-chance for Elche this time, but Victor's effort is deflected just high of the crossbar.
GOAL! Cordoba 0-2 Elche (Pasalic)
What a massive, massive goal. Elche score their second of the match as Pasalic heads home a deep corner at the far post. A very simple goal and indeed very poor defending from the home side.
SUB! Cordoba make their third change as Fidel - who is on loan from Elche - replaces Bebe.
Decent save from Tyton as the Elche goalkeeper keeps out a low strike from Luso. There is a real sense of anger in the crowd at the moment, with the frustration being directed to the Cordoba hierarchy.
Are Cordoba down if they lose here? Not mathematically, but they might be finished. There is some chanting going on at the moment which will not help the players. Cordoba are in bother here.
SUB! Elche make their second change as Aaron Niguez is replaced by Alvaro.
Half-chance for the home side as Fidel finds space inside the Elche box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Still 2-0 to the visitors here.
CLOSE! Pantic tries his luck for Cordoba outside the box, but his effort just deflects wide of the post. It just is not happening for the home side here, but they are putting the pressure on.
Cordoba force a free kick in an advanced position, but Fede's delivery is far too strong and Tyton is out to claim. A number of bodies go down inside the box, but the referee allows the play to continue.
RED CARD! Borja Garcia (Cordoba)
Cordoba are reduced to 10 men as Borja Garcia throws his head into Victor Rodriguez. Terrible from the Spaniard, who reacted to a heavy challenge by throwing his head into the face of the midfielder.
BOOKING! Victor (Elche) is booked for his part in the incident.
There are a lot of empty seats in the stadium at the moment as the supporters flood out of the stadium. Elche, meanwhile, have a problem with Alvaro as he hits the deck and stays there.
Alvaro is being stretched off the field for Elche. It does not look too clever.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Luso has the ball in the back of the net for Cordoba, but the flag was raised.
Cordoba are finishing this game on the front foot as Heldon's presence causes problems inside the Elche box, but the ball just will not go in and the visitors manage to clear their lines once again.
Almost silent inside the stadium as we approach stoppage time here.
Half-chance for Cordoba as Luso finds space outside the Elche box, but his effort - on the half-volley - is high and wide. The visitors are preparing to make their third and final change here.
SUB! Elche make the change as Coro replaces Victor.
In fairness to Cordoba, they are still pressing forward here as we approach the third minute of four added. They are going to lose, but a late consolation would at least bring some joy to the fans.
Cordoba remain on the front foot, but not much is happening as we approach full-time.
FULL-TIME: Cordoba 0-2 Elche
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Cordoba going down 2-0 at home to Elche. The result has moved the visitors out of the bottom three, while Cordoba remain bottom and still nine points from safety. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
