On February 3, 2025, CD Eldense stunned Albacete Balompié with a narrow 1-0 victory at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte, marking the end of Albacete's impressive home unbeaten streak. This intriguing matchup took place before nearly 11,800 eager fans, including around 1,000 traveling supporters from Eldense, who contributed to the vibrant atmosphere.
The first half of the match began with Albacete dominating possession, but the tempo changed dramatically when Rai Marchan received a direct red card after a reckless challenge on Víctor García at the 36-minute mark. The player's ejection proved more pivotal than anticipated as it allowed Eldense to seize control during the frenetic second half.
Despite being down to ten men, Albacete nearly took the lead just before halftime. Agus Medina provided a dangerous cross, but Dani, the Eldense goalkeeper, deflected Martón's powerful header to prevent the home side from scoring.
After the break, Albacete continued to battle fiercely, determined to hold on for at least a draw. Their efforts were complemented by several interventions from substitute goalkeeper Álvaro Aceves, who stepped in after Dani Martin incurred an injury.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 82nd minute when Juanto Ortuño, after showing great positioning and heading ability, scored the only goal of the match from Fede Vico's assist. The air fell silent among the home supporters, who had poured their hearts and voices behind their team throughout the game.
Following the goal, Albacete pressed to equalize, launching desperate offensives. Fans rallied behind their team, chanting for their players to muster strength against the ever-solid Eldense defense. Still, the minutes evaporated, leaving Albacete with no option but to yield defeat.
The match ended with Eldense celebrating what many deemed a pivotal win, aiding their scrap against relegation. Meanwhile, the loss left Albacete fans disheartened, as their hopes for three points had seemingly been dashed during this significant fixture.
Albacete, playing at home, had enjoyed considerable success previously, going ten matches without tasting defeat at the Belmonte. This loss brought not just points dropped but also raised concerns about their consistency as the season progresses.
Post-match, Juanto Ortuño expressed pride for delivering the needed goal for Eldense, emphasizing the motivation behind their performance to steer clear of relegation. "We knew the importance of this game, and our intention was clear – to fight and win," he remarked, attributing the team’s spirit as the driving factor for their success.
This match served as another reminder of how quickly fortunes can change within competitive sports – one moment, Albacete was riding high on home success; the next, they find themselves reeling from the effects of one pivotal red card and one fittingly-timed header from Ortuño.
With this victory, Eldense remains determined on their path toward survival, now sitting with 31 points and inching closer to escaping the relegation zone. The next challenge awaits them as they prepare to face Levante, hopeful of continuing their newfound momentum after this significant win.
The day also served as remembrance for the club, with fans and players honoring the memory of former Albacete players Pedro Gutiérrez "Guti" and Julio López "Juliete" with a moment of silence before the kickoff.