Eldense vs Al-Ettifaq

Bustillo opened the scoring after just three minutes, turning in a loose ball inside the six-yard box. The forward turned provider nine minutes later, sliding through Rodri Val to make it 2-0 in the 12th minute.

The third arrived in the 25th minute via a slick combination on the edge of the area. Justin Smith, the Canadian midfielder signed from Bayern Munich this summer, finished the move for his first goal in Eldense colours.

Al-Ettifaq pulled one back four minutes later through Montenegrin forward Milos Gluščević, who capitalised inside the box to make it 3-1 — a goal that stood until half-time.

The second half produced no further goals. Both managers rotated heavily through their squads, with Eldense introducing a raft of substitutes in the final half-hour. Jesús Clemente headed a late chance wide in the closing minutes.

The match was effectively decided inside 25 minutes. Eldense's fast start — three goals from their first three meaningful attacks — forced Al-Ettifaq onto the back foot before they had settled into the contest. The early salvo allowed Barragán to manage minutes and distribute playing time across his squad in the second half, the primary objective of any pre-season friendly.

Marcos Bustillo — A goal inside three minutes and an assist for Rodri Val's strike inside the first quarter-hour. The forward was the game's most influential player before being withdrawn in the second half. Booked in the 56th minute.

Rodri Val — Took his chance crisply after Bustillo's pass and linked well with the midfield throughout his time on the pitch.

Justin Smith — The Canadian summer signing from Bayern Munich opened his account for the club with a well-taken finish. A promising early sign for the Segunda División campaign ahead.

Player of the match: Marcos Bustillo.

The provider recorded four goals from 12 total shots across both sides, reflecting a clinical first half from Eldense and a flat second period shaped by mass substitutions. Both yellow cards went to Eldense players (Bustillo 56', Jesús Clemente 82'), suggesting Al-Ettifaq rarely threatened enough to force defensive fouls. The 3-1 half-time scoreline tells the full story: the game was won in the opening 25 minutes, and the second half was a controlled workout.

Eldense had lost 1-0 to Valencia and 2-0 to Millwall in their two previous pre-season outings (17 and 22 July respectively). This result gives Barragán a first win of the summer and a platform ahead of their next friendly against Real Murcia on 1 August at Pinatar Arena (19:00 local time). Al-Ettifaq, managed by Australian Arthur Papas, continue their Spanish pre-season camp as they prepare for the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League campaign.

A textbook pre-season performance from Eldense: sharp in the first half, controlled in the second, and a first victory on the board. The early combination play between Bustillo and Rodri Val, plus Smith's debut goal, will please Barragán most. Al-Ettifaq will take more from the fitness work than the scoreline.