Elche pulled off a stunning upset against fourth-place Atletico Madrid, winning 3-2 at home despite playing most of the match with ten men after an early red card.
Nicolás González delivered a masterclass in clinical finishing for the hosts. The Elche forward scored twice to lead his team to a remarkable victory at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero. This result marks a significant boost for the struggling home side, who sit 18th in La Liga.
Atletico Madrid arrived in strong form, sitting fourth with 57 points from 31 matches. Elche, by contrast, occupied the relegation zone with just 32 points. The visitors dominated possession throughout and created more chances, yet the hosts' efficiency proved decisive.
González struck first in the 10th minute, giving Elche an early advantage. The forward showed composure to finish clinically when the opportunity arrived. Atletico responded quickly through David Affengruber in the 18th minute, leveling the match with a well-taken goal.
The match shifted dramatically in the 30th minute when Tomás Almada received a red card for Elche. Playing with a numerical disadvantage seemed to spell trouble for the hosts. However, Elche's defensive resolve would soon be tested further.
Andre Silva converted a penalty for Atletico in the 33rd minute, putting the visitors ahead. Just one minute later, González struck again to equalize at 2-2. The forward's second goal showcased his predatory instincts in the penalty area.
Elche faced an uphill battle entering the second half. Ten men against Atletico's superior possession and attacking threat appeared insurmountable. Yet the hosts remained compact and dangerous on the counter-attack.
Atletico controlled the ball throughout the second period, registering 72 percent possession. The visitors created multiple chances and fired 14 total shots. Despite their dominance, the Madrid side could not break through Elche's stubborn defense.
Andre Silva restored Atletico's lead in the 75th minute with his second goal. The striker's clinical finish seemed to seal victory for the visitors. Atletico's expected goals of 2.67 reflected their attacking superiority.
Elche's goalkeeper produced crucial saves when needed most. The home side recorded four saves compared to Atletico's one. Affengruber earned a 9.5 rating for his all-around contribution to the Atletico effort.
The statistics told a story of two contrasting approaches. Atletico dominated with 649 passes at 88 percent accuracy. Elche's 259 passes reflected their compact, counter-attacking strategy.
This victory lifts Elche off the bottom of the table temporarily. Atletico's title hopes took a dent despite their territorial control and shot volume. The result demonstrates that possession and expected goals do not always guarantee points in football.
