Rafa Mir emerged as the executioner-in-chief, delivering a devastating double that propelled 11th-placed Elche to a commanding 3-0 victory over relegation-threatened Girona at the Estadio Martínez Valero. The Spanish striker's clinical finishing, combined with Héctor Fort's creative brilliance, dismantled Michel's struggling side and provided crucial breathing space in their battle to avoid the drop.
The carnage began in the 40th minute when Germán Valera unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike from outside the box that arrowed into the bottom right corner, with Fort providing the assist that unlocked Girona's defense. The home crowd barely had time to settle after the interval before Mir struck his first, converting from a difficult angle on the right after Fort's pinpoint delivery found him in the 51st minute. Six minutes later, Mir completed his brace with a predatory finish from the center of the box, sending Paulo Gazzaniga diving in vain as the ball nestled in the center of the goal.
Elche dominated the tactical battle from the first whistle, with Fort pulling the strings in midfield and creating havoc down the flanks. David Affengruber marshaled the defense superbly, while goalkeeper Iñaki Peña stood firm when called upon, making crucial saves from Yáser Asprilla and Alejandro Francés to preserve his clean sheet. Girona's attacking trio of Viktor Tsygankov, Bryan Gil, and Vladyslav Vanat struggled to find rhythm against Elche's organized defensive structure.
The statistics painted a picture of complete control, with Elche registering 11 shots to Girona's 8 while maintaining 57.7% possession. Despite Girona's desperate attempts to find a foothold, including a late header from substitute Jhon Solís that Peña comfortably gathered, they managed just four shots on target compared to Elche's six. The visitors' frustration boiled over in the closing stages, with Iván Martín and Juan Arango both collecting yellow cards as tempers frayed.
The turning point arrived with Valera's stunning opener, which shattered Girona's confidence and allowed Elche to dictate terms. Michel's triple substitution on 66 minutes, introducing Thomas Lemar, Jhon Solís, and Joel Roca, failed to stem the tide as Elche's defensive discipline never wavered throughout a nervy final 20 minutes.
Looking ahead, Elche will aim to build on this momentum in their next fixture, while Girona face an increasingly desperate battle to climb out of the relegation zone. This emphatic victory moves Elche further away from danger and demonstrates their growing confidence under pressure.