With Sunday’s opening-day victory behind them, attention now turns to the club’s second league fixture of the 2026/27 season, an away trip to face CFI Alicante.
The fallout from Jávea
CF Benidorm will be without Ángel Cobo Santos (No.9) and Denzel Robert Alejandro (No.2). Cobo has been handed a four-match suspension, with the sanction listed by the federation under Article 109.1. The forward was shown a straight red card in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time. In the match report, the referee stated that Cobo was dismissed for striking an opponent with his head using excessive force while play was stopped.
Denzel Robert Alejandro has received a one-match suspension under Article 126. Denzel received his first yellow card in the 75th minute for holding an opponent and preventing a promising attack. Ten minutes later, he received a second yellow for what the referee described as a reckless challenge while contesting the ball, resulting in his dismissal. There had been conflicting information surrounding Denzel’s bookings immediately after the match, with many around the club believing he had only received one yellow card during the game. The disciplinary information now confirms that the second yellow was recorded and that Denzel was dismissed.
Jávea have also received a suspension following the late incidents. Antonio Granados Navarro has been handed a two-match ban under Article 129 after receiving a straight red card in the seventh minute of stoppage time. The referee recorded that Granados was dismissed for spitting at an opponent while play was stopped.
A difference worth highlighting
Looking at the published sanctions, one point stands out.
Cobo has received a four-match suspension for striking an opponent, while Granados has received a two-match suspension for spitting at an opponent. Whatever the circumstances surrounding the two incidents, the published decisions mean that spitting has resulted in a shorter suspension than striking an opponent. From a supporter’s perspective, that is certainly something worth questioning when looking at the disciplinary decisions.
The three suspensions are therefore:
- Ángel Cobo (CF Benidorm) — 4 matches
- Denzel Robert Alejandro (CF Benidorm) — 1 match
- Antonio Granados (CDF Jávea) — 2 matches
Questions remain over Cuesta and Danny
There are also still questions surrounding the fitness of Cuesta and Danny.Benidorm are awaiting further news on both players, with their availability for Sunday’s trip to Alicante yet to be confirmed.That could leave Sergio Mora with further selection decisions to make as he prepares his squad for the second league fixture.
Who are CFI Alicante?
CF Benidorm’s second league match of the 2026/27 season sees them travel to Alicante to face Club de Fútbol Independiente Alicante, better known as CFI Alicante. They are based in Alicante in the Valencian Community and were founded in 2014. The club plays its home matches at the Estadio Antonio Solana, which has a capacity of around 2,500. They were established as an heir to the historic Alicante CF, adopting the former club’s colours and logo.
The club began life in the Segunda Regional, the lowest level of the Valencian regional football pyramid. They achieved promotion to Primera Regional in 2016 before reaching the Regional Preferente for the first time in 2018.
The Intercity connection
One of the most interesting aspects of CFI Alicante is their relationship with CF Intercity. After experiencing financial difficulties, CFI Alicante reached a collaboration agreement with Intercity in 2021. That relationship developed further in July 2022, when the two clubs reached an agreement for CFI Alicante to act as CF Intercity’s reserve team for the 2022/23 season.
While CFI Alicante remain a club in their own right, they therefore have a strong connection with one of Alicante’s best-known modern football clubs.
A Copa del Rey appearance
CFI Alicante have also experienced one of Spanish football’s biggest competitions.During the 2021/22 season, the club reached the Copa del Rey, where they were drawn against La Liga giants Real Betis. It was a huge occasion for the club, although their cup run came to an end against the Seville side.
CFI Alicante today
CFI Alicante currently compete in the Lliga Comunitat – South, the same division as CF Benidorm. That means Sunday’s fixture is a meeting between two clubs with ambitions of progressing through the Spanish football pyramid. CFI Alicante will be looking to make home advantage count, while Benidorm will be hoping to build on their positive start to the campaign.
CF Benidorm travel to Alicante
CFI Alicante vs CF Benidorm
Sunday 13 September 2026
Estadio Antonio Solana, Alicante
Lliga Comunitat – South
Kick-off: 5pm local time (4pm UK)
Benidorm arrive in Alicante looking to follow up their opening-day victory, but they will do so with at least two players unavailable through suspension and potential fitness concerns still surrounding Cuesta and Danny.
It promises to be another interesting test for Sergio Mora’s side.
CF Benidorm UK will bring you the latest information surrounding the fixture, including updates for supporters in the UK.
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