The Laliga result on September 18, 2026 opened Matchday 7 with a remarkable away victory as Elche beat Espanyol 3-1 at the RCDE Stadium despite playing almost the entire match with 10 men.
Federico Redondo was sent off in the 6th minute, but Elche responded with two first-half goals from Fer Niño. Espanyol pulled one back through a Víctor Chust own goal before Germán Valera sealed Elche’s first league win of the season.
For the latest fixtures, see the Laliga Schedule 2026/27, Laliga Matches Upcoming Today, and updated Laliga Standings.
Laliga Results September 18, 2026
Kick-off time is shown in CEST (Spain, UTC+2) and GMT+8.
| Match | Result | CEST | GMT+8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espanyol vs Elche | 1-3 | 21:00 | 03:00, Sep 19 |
Espanyol 1-3 Elche
Elche produced one of the most eye-catching results of the early 2026/27 season, beating Espanyol 3-1 away from home despite being reduced to 10 men in the opening minutes.
Federico Redondo was shown a direct red card in the 6th minute following a VAR review. Rather than retreat, Elche struck twice before halftime. Fer Niño opened the scoring in the 26th minute and added his second only three minutes later.
Espanyol had the numerical advantage and dominated possession, but they struggled to turn that control into goals. Their breakthrough finally arrived in the 72nd minute when Víctor Chust put the ball into his own net, reducing Elche’s lead to 2-1.
The comeback did not materialise. Germán Valera scored in the 78th minute, assisted by Tete Morente, to restore Elche’s two-goal advantage and secure a 3-1 victory.
The result was especially significant because it gave Elche their first Laliga victory of the season and came after they had played with 10 men for almost the entire contest.
Espanyol vs Elche: Key Match Details
| Competition | LALIGA EA SPORTS 2026/27 |
| Matchday | 7 |
| Date | September 18, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 21:00 CEST (Spain) / 03:00 GMT+8, September 19 |
| Venue | RCDE Stadium |
| Final score | Espanyol 1-3 Elche |
| Espanyol goal | Víctor Chust 72′ own goal |
| Elche scorers | Fer Niño 26′, 29′; Germán Valera 78′ |
| Red card | Federico Redondo (Elche), 6′ |
How Elche Won With 10 Men
The early red card could have forced Elche into a purely defensive approach, but the visitors instead punished Espanyol’s mistakes and were clinical when their chances arrived.
Fer Niño’s quick double changed the match. Espanyol finished with considerably more possession and attempts, yet Elche put more efforts on target and protected their lead effectively. Even after the own goal gave Espanyol hope, Valera’s finish six minutes later immediately restored the cushion.
For Espanyol, the result was particularly frustrating because they played with an extra man for most of the night but could not capitalise. For Elche, it was a first win of the campaign and an important response after a difficult start.
What the September 18 Result Means
The result launched Matchday 7 with an upset and gave Elche valuable early-season points. The combination of an early dismissal, a two-goal Fer Niño performance and a disciplined second half made this more than a routine 3-1 away win.
Follow how the result changes the league picture on our Laliga Standings page. For the previous completed matches, see Laliga Results September 17, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Elche beat Espanyol 3-1 at the RCDE Stadium in the opening fixture of Matchday 7.
Fer Niño scored twice and Germán Valera scored Elche’s third. Espanyol’s goal came through a Víctor Chust own goal.
Federico Redondo was sent off for Elche in the 6th minute after a VAR review.
Yes. Espanyol vs Elche was the opening fixture of Laliga Matchday 7 in the 2026/27 season.
