It was a highly entertaining match, almost out of place in Spain’s third tier. Albert and Álvaro García made it 0-2 with 20 minutes remaining, and the score stayed that way until the 85th minute, when Jardí and Diego González earned a point in this clash between the leaders. Real Zaragoza believe, and that is worth many points.
Real Zaragoza will not be top this week. They have a serious rival in terms of quality and ability in Villarreal B, who came close to taking all three points at Ibercaja Estadio. But Ibai Gómez’s side, now unbeaten in nine consecutive matches, have a strong chance of occupying first place after the 38-match season.
THE MATCH
The top two teams faced each other, level on 20 points in the standings. Real Zaragoza made changes to their starting lineup for the match. Lucas Terrer, who had suffered a quadriceps injury, dropped out, while Ander and Rubén Díez “Jamelli” started together for the first time. Ademo, returning from suspension, and Escudero also featured.
Once the ball was rolling, Villarreal B made the better start. They threatened Westerveld’s goal through their control of possession and physical presence. Baratucci tested him in the ninth minute and came close to curling a direct free kick into the top corner.
In an entertaining exchange of attacks, Diego González also went close to scoring. The Real Zaragoza centre-back headed the ball in the six-yard box after it had glanced off several heads without being cleared. By the half-hour mark, the chances were coming almost in pairs, with Albert also threatening, a penalty being reviewed and Villarreal B even having a goal disallowed in the 33rd minute.
Jardí, at the moment he took the penalty he missed but scored from the rebound. Photo: Pilar Álvarez
The first half ended with efforts from Jardí and Ademo that failed to find the target. It was an open match, and Villarreal B appeared somewhat bolder than Real Zaragoza. Everything would be decided in the second half.
SECOND HALF
That trait helped the Yellow Submarine start to believe. The opposite was true of Real Zaragoza. Villarreal B began to impose their style of play and, in this case, their superiority as well.
It was in the 63rd minute, after two earlier Real Zaragoza attacks, that Albert put the visitors ahead. He sent the ball past Westerveld to score the first goal of the night, a blow that stunned Ibercaja Estadio.
Things got worse in the 71st minute, when a short free kick ended with a cross into the heart of the area and a sensational finish from Álvaro García into the back of the net. 0-2. Real Zaragoza looked like a stunned team, a side running out of answers.
Ibai during Real Zaragoza vs. Villarreal B. Photo: Pilar Álvarez
But they still had their strength. And in that regard, Real Zaragoza seem unbeatable. Saidu fought for a ball and broke into the area, where a penalty was awarded. Jardí converted it in the 85th minute to make it 1-2. Then, in the 93rd minute, Diego González headed the ball in the six-yard box and turned it into the back of the net for the definitive 2-2.
Real Zaragoza faced their most worthy rival of the season in Villarreal B. The Aragonese side have found a strong competitor in the fight for top spot in the division. The match ended 2-2, a draw that feels like a home win to many and shows that the leadership race will be fiercely contested.
MATCH DETAILS
Real Zaragoza: Westerveld; Sangalli, Iranzo, Diego González, Escudero (Joaquín Delgado, min 72'); Ander Herrera (Tobajas, min 59'), Ademo; Jaume Jardí, Rubén Díez (Saidu, min 79'), Ureña (Pau Sans, min 59'); Edu Espiau (Vadillo, 59')
Villarreal B: Kinareikin; Arnau, Álvaro García, Chukwuma, Eneko; Viveros (Bonafé, min 78'), Pascual (Ayman, min 87'), Cheikh, J. Gaitán; Baratucci (Fofana, min 78'), Albert G. (Alcaide, min 87')
Goals: 0-1, Albert García, (min 64'); 0-2, Álvaro García (min 70'); 1-2, Jardí, (min 86'); 2-2, Diego González, (min 92')
Referee: Palomares Gutiérrez. Booked Rubo (7') and Escudero (44'). Sent off Tobajas for two yellow cards (min 75' and min 97’).
