Big party in Barbastro, an Aragonese town of just over 17,000 inhabitants, whose team, eleventh in its second federation group (former third division), the Unión Deportiva, defeated Almería, a first division team that was in a major sporting crisis. It was the big surprise on a day in the second cup round when the other first division teams decided their respective games. These were the cases of Rayo, Real Sociedad, Alavés, Betis (with many problems) and Mallorca.
Nothing seems to stop the bad moment of Almería, bottom of the First Division, which has not yet won in the league and has already been eliminated from the cup. Vicente Moreno was sacked, and the arrival of Gaizka Garitano could not stop him sunk team. On the sunny morning in Barbastro, Almería looked terrible against an opponent who outclassed them in the first half. A Franki headed goal in the 26th minute left Almería’s fragile defense falling apart. The Barbastro defender had suffered a serious blow to the eyebrow and was left with an awkward bandage on his head. Almería improved in the second half and Leo Baptistão hit the post. The Andalusians tried unsuccessfully and were eliminated after their umpteenth impotence exercise. Watch out for Garitano: six defeats and a draw in the league and elimination in the cup.
More than 2,000 Betis, relocated to Villanueva de la Serena in Badajoz, rubbed their eyes as Villanovense of the Second Federation scored a magnificent goal in the 63rd minute through Isra Cano that put Betis in a corner. The champions of the 2022 edition were virtually eliminated until Abde equalized in the 89th minute after a great pass from Roca. Betis went all out to score the second goal and it came in the 92nd minute through Borja, who finished off a great pass from Miranda in the small penalty area after another great move from Abde. Betis is still ahead in the cup (1:2) and Villanovense honored the competition with a great performance.
Rayo suffered against Yeclano of the Second Federation. It was only in the final stretch and after a very tough duel that Falcao and Raúl de Tomás gave the Madrid team a pass that ended their dry spell after going four games without a win.
A goal from André Silva, the first of his time at Real Sociedad, helped the Basque team stay in the league against Andratx (0-1). La Real have gone six games without defeat and have struggled to adapt to an artificial pitch with very precarious conditions. Andratx fought for the equalizer until the end and even had a clear chance to make it 1-1 in the last move, which would have required extra time. Imanol, a realistic coach, was not at all satisfied at the end of the duel: “I’m not happy. They deserved to draw and reach extra time. In the last 15 minutes there were international people on the field and Andratx was superior to us.”
Alavés also won 0-1 against a spirited Terrassa, who were caught off guard in what was certainly avoidable action. A long ball from the Alavés penalty area surprised their defense. Alkain scored the final score 0-1 and gave the Basque team the lead. Terrassa did not lose hope and tried to surprise an Alavés team that gave them no hope. Alavés is making reasonable progress. Only one defeat, against Barcelona, in the last six games.
Diego Alonso’s Sevilla is breathing in the cup, where the Uruguayan coach has won his only two wins on the bench. The Andalusians easily defeated Astorga (0-2) thanks to goals from Sergio Ramos, a penalty and Gattoni. The result could have been bigger for the Sevillistas, but Barredo, the Astorga goalkeeper, prevented it.
Mallorca, which is struggling in the league, continues its good development in the cup. They defeated Valle Egüés 0-3, with goals from Dani Rodríguez and two goals from Llabrés from the youth team, a very interesting footballer.
Las Palmas needed extra time and only a goal from Munir in the 124th minute brought them past a good Tudelano (1:2). The Navarrese had a close penalty shootout, but were surprised with a corner in their favor when the Canaries counterattacked.
The Salamanca Unionistas from the First Federation caused the surprise by defeating Sporting (2-0), the runners-up in the Second League, while Tenerife ended Deportivo’s dream (2-3). A match that reminded both teams of better times. Cartagena beat Alcorcón on penalties, while Huesca advanced with a win over Antequera (0-2). Burgos finished with Arenteiro (1-3), while a historic team, Málaga, now in the First Federation, is still alive in the cup after defeating Eldense in La Rosaleda (1-0). Amorebieta surprised Levante (0-1) and Lugo of the First Association did the same by eliminating Mirandés (2-0).
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