Córdoba can now dream of success after securing a vital victory in a hard-fought clash. The match ended with Córdoba claiming a 2-1 win, leaving Castellón to rue missed opportunities despite a late surge.
The second half saw Castellón come out strongly. They pushed forward aggressively, testing the Córdoba defense. One clear chance was denied by Iker and the crossbar, as the keeper stood tall. Defensively, Córdoba seemed in control but struggled on the flanks, particularly against Mellot. Castellón’s late pressure finally paid off with a goal that briefly revived hopes, but it was too little, too late.
Córdoba delivered an excellent performance overall. They weathered the storm when it mattered most, with Iker proving a formidable presence in goal. Their counter-attacks and long balls caused constant problems, with the left flank and Fuentes proving clinical in front of goal. They could have sealed the game earlier with additional chances when Castellón threw men forward, but missed their opportunities. In the dying minutes, they faced more pressure, yet again Iker stepped up to save his side. Although Castellón pulled one back, it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
**Castellón 1**
**Córdoba 2**
**90+6’** — FULL TIME. The referee blows the final whistle.
**90+1’** — HUGE CHANCE FOR CÓRDOBA! Percan breaks away on a rapid counter, cuts inside the box, leaves a defender on the ground, but his shot goes just wide of the far post.
**90’** — Six minutes of added time are signaled.
**88’** — Theo receives a yellow card and will miss the next match.
**86’** — INCREDIBLE SAVE BY MATTHYS! The Castellón keeper denies a certain goal to prevent the game being put to bed. Another counter-attack sees Requena break into the box after a good combination, aiming for the far post, but Matthys spreads himself and produces a spectacular save.
**83’** — SAVE BY IKER! Castellón persist. Sienra receives in the box, slightly angled from the left, and fires a strong shot that Iker palms away.
**83’** — Substitution for Castellón: Doué replaces Alberto.
**82’** — Double substitution for Córdoba: Goti and Theo come on for Carracedo and Del Moral.
**81’** — GOAL FOR CASTELLÓN! A wonderful cross from Mabil on the right is met by Álvaro, who rises high and plants his header just inside the post. **Castellón 1 – 2 Córdoba**
**80’** — Yellow card for Albarrán for pulling back an opponent.
**79’** — Iker Álvarez is booked for time-wasting on a goal kick.
**77’** — SAVE BY IKER! Mabil runs into space in the box and unleashes a powerful cross-shot, but Iker gets a strong hand to it. The rebound falls to a Castellón player, but Iker is there again.
**76’** — SAVE BY MATTHYS! Córdoba counters swiftly. Percan receives the ball inside the box, but his angled shot is blocked by the keeper’s foot.
**73’** — Double substitution for Castellón: Suero and Álvaro replace Ronaldo and Camara.
Fuentes celebrated the opening goal with joy.
**67’** — Substitution for Castellón: Percan on, Fuentes off.
A similar move to the first goal: a long ball down the left for Bri, who outmuscles Mellot, enters the box and…
