Villarreal and Elche finished goalless at La Cerámica, with a 0‑0 that left the home team with only two wins in nine games and the visitor with its third consecutive streak without losing at home. The game, played on October 17, 2026 at 16:15 CEST, saw the tricolors dominate most of the match without being able to convert their opportunities, while Elche showed a solid defense and organization that allowed them to resist Villarreal's dominance.
From the beginning, Villarreal sought to impose its game with a high pace and numerous attacking plays. Íñigo Pérez's players, especially Alberto Moleiro and Ayoze Pérez, generated several scoring chances in the first half hour. Moleiro scored twice, but both attempts were disallowed for offside. Despite the twelve total shots, five of them were directed at the three posts. The home team came out with the intention of controlling the match, but Elche, under the direction of Nicolás Anselmi, maintained a compact defensive posture and took advantage of moments of pressure to gain confidence.
In the second half, Villarreal's dominance began to lose intensity. Elche, with an increasingly solid defense, managed to neutralize the home team's threats. Although the visiting team approached the rival goal in the final minutes, neither team managed to break the deadlock. Referee Víctor García Verdura recorded several yellow cards, and the VAR intervened in a penalty case that was later disqualified after review.
The result leaves Villarreal with a performance below expectations, while Elche continues its unbeaten streak at home, after visits to Athletic Club, Espanyol and Villarreal. With the tie, Villarreal remains in the relegation zone, while Elche consolidates itself as one of the most difficult teams to beat in the season. Villarreal's next match will be crucial to try to reverse the negative trend, while Elche will continue seeking to maintain its dominance at the Cerámica stadium.