Elche earn breathing space with win over Córdoba

Córdoba CF fell to a 0-2 defeat against Elche CF on matchday 31 of the Liga BBVA. Enzo Roco and Mario Pašalić were the scorers in a clash that leaves los ilicitanos breathing easier as they approach the fixtures to come.

José Antonio Romero’s Córdoba outfit made the more settled start to the match, but their sloppiness and the passing minutes worked in favour of a visiting side that came into the game after the first quarter of an hour. The tempo of the encounter slowed, with both outfits applying scant pressure and creating few chances. Los blanquiverdes tentatively sought a way through courtesy of the likes of Fede Cartabia and Borja García, but it was Elche who took the lead when Enzo Roco took advantage of a free-kick hung into the box to make it 0-1 after 40’.

There was little change to the script in the second half. Córdoba pressed for an equaliser, but without overly threatening. René Khrin enjoyed their clearest opportunity with a header that hit the post, but just two minutes after that chance Fran Escribá’s side grabbed a second as Pašalić headed in at the far post from a corner. Having fallen two behind the hosts sought to die fighting, but their efforts only yielded a few moments of danger that were all thwarted by keeper Przemysław Tytoń, and Elche sealed a victory to move away from the drop.