Sevilla and Elche deliver a crunch match defined by four lead changes and substitute heroics

Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 80/100. In a display where intensity peaked and the lead changed hands four times, both teams proved that La Liga's unpredictability thrives when stakes collide with clinical finishing.

The four-goal thriller that kept the lead in motion

From Isaac Romero's opener in the 28th minute—set up by R. Vargas—to Peque Fernández's dramatic 85th-minute equalizer, this fixture never allowed either team to settle. The intensity was relentless: four goals perfectly distributed, creating an equilibrium that kept supporters gripped until the final whistle.

Elche seized control after the break when André Silva leveled in the 54th minute, courtesy of Martim Neto's assist. Sixteen minutes later, Rafa Mir completed the turnaround in the 70th, putting the visitors ahead. Yet Sevilla refused to fold.

VAR drama and the substitute's salvation

With everything on the line, Peque—introduced from the bench in the 79th minute—struck in the 85th with A. Sánchez's crucial assist. VAR confirmed the goal two minutes later in a decision that sparked tension but proved correct by protocol. The upset factor was neutralized; the entertainment factor soared.

Sevilla's tactical use of substitutes proved decisive. Elche, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten run to four matches, showcasing defensive resilience despite conceding twice. The possession battle (53% vs. 47%) tells one story; xG tells another. Elche (0.95) vastly outperformed Sevilla (0.40), proving that efficiency—not territory—governs modern football.

This 2-2 draw encapsulates the balance that defined the fixture: Sevilla controlled the game; Elche controlled the moments that mattered. Four lead changes, two substitute goals, one VAR intervention, and a point apiece.