Ponce conquers Elche and digs into the Lightning wound

Elche returned to the path of victory, from which it had moved away last day after losing to Sevilla, after beating Rayo Vallecano (2-1) at the Martínez Valero, a victory that forged it in the final stretch of a clash in which he had to overcome the initial goal of the Madrid. The defeat, on the other hand, keeps Andoni Iraola’s men in their negative dynamics, as they continue without a win so far in 2022 (they have lost five of the last six games).

Elche and Rayo settled the first 45 minutes of great balance, although it was the visiting team that would end up having more possession of the ball. But getting the ball did not make him reach the rival area with greater danger.

[+] See the summary of the match

Elche seemed to suffer from the casualties with which they faced the match, those of the injured Palacios, Gonzalo Verdú, Gumbau and Lucas Boyé, and Rayo, with their ‘eleven’ type, with the only exception of Luca Zidane under sticks, began imposing the pace that suits you best. Thus, in the 23rd minute he would have his first and only great chance of the first period, but he wasted it. Álvaro García left because of Barragán’s speed, he stepped on the area and, only against Edgar Badía, he shot outside it when his teammate Isi Palazón was alone at the penalty spot.

The scare woke up Elche, who only three minutes later would have their best option, in a header from Enzo Roco that Luca Zidane blocked. Francisco’s team managed to balance Rayo’s dominance, but the dangerous chances continued to shine due to his absence and half-time was goalless.

After passing through the changing rooms, and without changes in both teams, the script was similar to the one at the beginning of the clash, with a Rayo more protagonist. And as a result of this, it was 0-1 in the 52nd minute. A cross from the top of the area by left-back Fran García touched Barragán slightly and the ball made an impossible parabola for Edgar Badía.

The 0-1 only confirmed Elche’s weak game and Francisco soon shook the tree, putting Marcone, Kike Pérez, Josán and the Argentine Ezequiel Ponce on the pitch, who made his debut after arriving in the winter market . The changes would end up being decisive for the people from Elche, who turned the scoreboard around.

Thus, in the 76th minute, Guido Carrillo, with a header, equalized after picking up a rebound. The ball had been repelled by the wood also in a header by Pere Milla and the Argentine did not fail at goal.

The madness for the local fans would come seven minutes later, when Isi Palazón crashed the ball into the barrier from a free kick. The ball, which came back to him, was stolen by Pere Milla, who directed a counterattack that culminated in a great assist for Ponce so that the debutant made it 2-1.

Rayo’s desperate final scramble did not bring him any prize and did give him the occasional scare against Elche, although the scoreboard did not move and the three points stayed with Martínez Valero.