Racing Santander 3-2 Elche

The LaLiga encounter between Racing Santander and Elche unfolded at the El Sardineros stadium in Santander on 28 August 2026, with kickoff at 17:00 GMT. Both clubs entered the match looking to start the season strongly, and the game delivered a high-scoring spectacle that saw the hosts emerge victorious.

How it unfolded

The opening stages were dominated by Racing Santander. In the 15th minute Yassir Zabiri opened the scoring with a left-footed strike from outside the box that curled into the bottom right corner, putting the home side ahead. Six minutes later Zabiri doubled his tally, this time firing a left-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner to make it 2-0. His brace was extended just before the half-hour mark when, after a cross from Iñigo Vicente, he slotted home another left-footed effort from the centre of the box, completing a quick hat-trick and sending the score to 3-0.

The first half ended with Racing Santander firmly in control, having scored three goals before the break. Early in the second half the referee cautioned Facundo González of Racing Santander in the 43rd minute for a bad foul, followed by a second yellow card to Álvaro Mantilla in the 45th minute for another bad foul. These bookings reflected a tense midfield battle as the hosts pressed to extend their lead. Elche’s response came in the 63rd minute when Facundo Buonanotte was booked for a bad foul, after which the visitors intensified their attacks.

Elche began their comeback late in the game. In the 78th minute Buba Sangaré restored hope for the visitors, striking with his right foot from outside the box and directing the ball into the bottom left corner after an assist from Lucas Cepeda. Just a minute later Fernando Niño (listed as Fer Niño) headed home from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner, the cross provided by José Antonio Morente finding him at the right moment. The rapid succession of the two goals in the 78th and 79th minutes highlighted Elche’s late surge and reduced the deficit to a single goal. The match concluded with Racing Santander holding on for the remaining minutes and securing a 3-2 win.

Standout performers

  • Yassir Zabiri – the decisive figure for Racing Santander, scoring three goals, including a hat-trick within the first 36 minutes.
  • Iñigo Vicente – supplied the cross that set up Zabiri’s third goal.
  • Buba Sangaré – pulled one back for Elche with a long-range effort in the 78th minute.
  • Lucas Cepeda – provided the assist for Sangaré’s strike.
  • Fernando Niño – headed the equaliser for Elche in the 79th minute, assisted by José Antonio Morente.
  • José Antonio Morente – delivered the decisive cross for Niño’s header.

Match facts

  • Final score: Racing Santander 3-2 Elche
  • Scorers: Yassir Zabiri (15’, 21’, 36’); Buba Sangaré (78’); Fernando Niño (79’)
  • Bookings: Facundo González (43’), Álvaro Mantilla (45’) – Racing Santander; Facundo Buonanotte (63’) – Elche
  • Venue: El Sardineros, Santander

What it means

The result confirms Racing Santander secured three points at home, while Elche left the ground with a narrow defeat.