Introduction
If you followed the Linares Deportivo vs Elche clash, you already know it had everything a cup tie should have. A brave underdog, a fighting comeback, and a late collapse that decided the night. This Copa del Rey second round match, played at Estadio Municipal de Linarejos on December 7, 2023, ended with Elche winning 3 1. Linares Deportivo pushed hard and even leveled the score for a few minutes, but Elche’s class showed up when it mattered most.
In this article, you will get the full Linares Deportivo vs Elche result, a goal by goal breakdown, the lineups both managers trusted, and answers to the questions fans keep asking about this game. Whether you want the Linares Deportivo vs Elche score, the stats, or simply the story of how the match unfolded, everything is covered below in a simple and skimmable way.
Linares Deportivo vs Elche Match Overview
Let us start with the basics. This was a Copa del Rey second round fixture, one of Spain’s most exciting cup competitions where lower division sides get a real shot at giants.
- Competition: Copa del Rey, 2023 24 season, Second Round
- Date: December 7, 2023
- Venue: Estadio Municipal de Linarejos, Linares, Spain
- Attendance: 3,876 fans
- Final Score: Linares Deportivo 1, Elche 3
Linares Deportivo, a fourth tier Spanish club, hosted La Liga side Elche in front of a passionate home crowd. The stadium had a buzzing atmosphere all night, with fans hoping for a giant killing performance. For a good stretch of the second half, that dream stayed alive.
Linares Deportivo vs Elche Result
So how did Elche win a match that looked shaky at times? Here is the short version of the Linares Deportivo vs Elche result.
Elche scored first through Borja Garcés, then Linares Deportivo hit back almost immediately with a goal from Samuel Corral. That equalizer gave the home fans real belief. But Elche found another gear late on, with Aleix Febas restoring the lead and Sergio León adding a third goal to close things out.
The final scoreline read Linares Deportivo 1, Elche 3, and it sends Elche through to the next round of the Copa del Rey.
Linares Deportivo vs Elche Score
Breaking down the Linares Deportivo vs Elche score by half makes the story even clearer.
- Half Time: 0 0
- Full Time: Linares Deportivo 1, Elche 3
The first half was a tight, goalless affair with both sides feeling each other out. Everything changed after the break. Here are the key goal timings that shaped the result:
- 58 minutes: Borja Garcés puts Elche ahead
- 61 minutes: Samuel Corral equalizes for Linares
- 83 minutes: Aleix Febas restores Elche’s lead
- 89 minutes: Sergio León wraps up the win
Four goals in a 31 minute window turned a cagey cup tie into a genuine thriller. GNA Worksight
Match Timeline and Key Moments
Here is how the drama actually unfolded on the pitch.
The first 57 minutes passed without a single goal, and you could sense both teams testing each other cautiously. Then Borja Garcés broke the deadlock for Elche with a composed finish from inside the box, assisted by Sergio Carreira.
Linares Deportivo did not fold. Just three minutes later, Samuel Corral rose highest for a header that beat the goalkeeper and sent the home crowd into raptures. At 1 1, this suddenly looked like it could be one of the great cup upsets.
Elche needed a response, and they got one. Aleix Febas struck in the 83rd minute to put the visitors back in front, taking some of the wind out of Linares’ sails. Then, deep into stoppage time territory, Sergio León finished things off in the 89th minute to make it 3 1.
By full time, Linares Deportivo had given their all but simply ran out of steam against a side with more depth and quality.
Linares Deportivo vs Elche Lineups
Tactics played a real role in how this match developed. Here is a look at the Linares Deportivo vs Elche lineup on the night.
Linares Deportivo (4 1 4 1): The home side set up in a compact defensive shape designed to frustrate Elche and hit them on the break. Samuel Corral started as part of this system and ended up being the difference maker with his equalizing header.
Elche (5 4 1): The visitors used a back five, a common choice for away trips against lower division opposition looking to sit deep. This shape gave Elche defensive stability while allowing players like Aleix Febas and Sergio León freedom to join attacks late.
The contrast in formations, 4 1 4 1 against 5 4 1, explains a lot about how the match played out. Linares pressed with numbers going forward, while Elche stayed patient and waited for their moments.
Copa del Rey Context
Why did this Linares Deportivo Elche Copa del Rey tie matter so much? Context helps here.
Linares Deportivo reached this second round stage after eliminating UCAM Murcia on penalties, a result that showed real nerve and quality from a fourth division side. That earlier win built momentum and confidence heading into the Elche match.
Elche, playing in the second tier of Spanish football at the time, arrived as clear favorites. A win over Linares Deportivo kept their own Copa del Rey run alive and moved them into the next round of the competition.
For Linares Deportivo, simply hosting a professional club with La Liga history at Estadio Municipal de Linarejos was already a huge occasion. Coming close to an upset made the run even more memorable for their fans. Source: Sofascore
Linares Deportivo vs Elche Head to Head
Looking at the Linares Deportivo vs Elche head to head record, this fixture was actually rare. Available records show the two clubs had met only once before in a competitive setting, and that earlier meeting also went in Elche’s favor.
Because these two sides come from very different tiers of Spanish football, regular head to head data is limited. This Copa del Rey clash stands as one of the very few times these clubs have shared a pitch, which is part of what made the occasion feel special for fans of both teams.
Linares Deportivo Performance
I think Linares Deportivo deserve real credit for how they approached this game. Facing a side several divisions above them, they defended smartly for the entire first half and did not panic when Elche eventually broke through.
Samuel Corral’s equalizer was the highlight of their night, a moment of real quality that briefly leveled the tie. After that, though, Linares struggled to hold their shape against Elche’s pace and experience. Fatigue and squad depth issues showed late on, and the team could not repeat the resilience that carried them past UCAM Murcia in the previous round.
Still, this was a performance Linares fans can be proud of, even in defeat. Kids’ Ronaldo Jersey
Elche Performance
Elche’s performance tells a different story, one of patience and quality shining through under pressure. Falling into a 1 1 scoreline against lower division opposition could easily have rattled a team with higher expectations. Instead, Elche regrouped and trusted their game plan.
Aleix Febas was decisive, stepping up at exactly the right moment to restore the lead. Sergio León then showed the kind of composure you want from an experienced forward, sealing the win in the closing minutes. Together, these two players turned a nervy away trip into a routine progression through the round.
Key Players to Mention
A few names stood out across this Linares Deportivo vs Elche match and are worth remembering.
- Samuel Corral: Scored Linares Deportivo’s only goal, a real moment of belief for the home side
- Borja Garcés: Opened the scoring for Elche with a clinical finish
- Aleix Febas: Restored Elche’s lead with a crucial 83rd minute strike
- Sergio León: Sealed the win late and showed his experience in front of goal
- Edgar Badia: Part of Elche’s matchday squad, playing a role in keeping the defense organized
- Fidel: Featured as part of Elche’s squad depth on the night
These players were central to how the match unfolded, whether through goals, assists, or their overall contribution to the result.
Linares Deportivo vs Elche Stats Snapshot
For fans who like numbers, here is a quick Linares Deportivo vs Elche stats summary based on the two clubs’ form around that season.
- Linares Deportivo averaged 0.85 goals scored per match that season
- Elche averaged around 1.05 to 1.22 goals scored per match depending on the dataset used
- The match itself produced 4 total goals, all packed into the second half
- Attendance reached 3,876, a strong number for a fourth tier venue hosting a professional club
These figures help explain why this fixture is still talked about when people search for Linares Deportivo Elche 2023 highlights.
Conclusion
The Linares Deportivo vs Elche match result will stick in the memory of anyone who watched it. A goalless first half gave way to a wild final half hour, with Samuel Corral briefly giving the home crowd hope before Aleix Febas and Sergio León settled things for Elche. The final score, Linares Deportivo 1, Elche 3, reflects a contest that was far closer than the numbers might suggest.
For Elche, it meant safe passage into the next round of the Copa del Rey. For Linares Deportivo, it meant a proud cup run and a night their fans will not forget anytime soon.
What did you think of this Copa del Rey clash? If you enjoyed this breakdown, share it with a fellow football fan who loves a good cup upset story.
FAQs
What was the final score between Linares Deportivo and Elche? Elche won 3 1 in the Copa del Rey second round on December 7, 2023.
Who scored for Linares Deportivo? Samuel Corral scored the only goal for Linares Deportivo, equalizing in the 61st minute.
Who scored for Elche? Borja Garcés, Aleix Febas, and Sergio León scored for Elche.
Where was the Linares Deportivo vs Elche match played? The match took place at Estadio Municipal de Linarejos in Linares, Spain.
What competition was this match part of? It was a second round fixture in the 2023 24 Copa del Rey.
What formation did each team use? Linares Deportivo played a 4 1 4 1 formation, while Elche used a 5 4 1 setup.
How did Linares Deportivo reach this round? They eliminated UCAM Murcia on penalties in the previous round.
Was the match close? Yes, it was 1 1 for a period in the second half before Elche scored twice late to win 3 1.
How many fans attended the match? The official attendance was 3,876.
Did Linares Deportivo have any previous meetings with Elche? Available records show very limited head to head history between the two clubs, since they compete in different divisions.
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About the Author
Seo Fix is a content producer and SEO specialist who covers football matches, cup competitions, and sports storylines with a focus on clear, accurate, and reader friendly reporting.
