Real Zaragoza have collected 15 points from their last 15 available and are confirming that they are fulfilling their obligation. After their resounding failure, they have continued to take three points against teams far removed from professional football. That is how they have reached the top spot, from which they cannot afford to slip.
The clash with the Teruel side produced several very positive highlights for Real Zaragoza. Pau Sans and Edu Espiau both found the net. Ureña also scored, grabbing the equalizer, while Jardí completed the 4-1 victory. Real Zaragoza have thus climbed convincingly to first place.
THE MATCH
Physical problems and knocks forced changes for Real Zaragoza. The most notable, without a doubt, came in goal, where Anartz replaced Westerveld. Espiau also led the attack, while Ureña returned to the starting lineup. For Teruel, Borge was involved in a special match against the Blanquillos.
The match began chaotically, with Real Zaragoza lacking precision and Teruel playing the match of their lives. After two minutes, a penalty was awarded to Anartz – following a review – after a poorly defended cross that Moreno tried to finish from a Sesé delivery, only to come up against the goalkeeper. He brought down the striker, and a penalty was eventually given, which the same attacker converted.
Things got off to a bad start. The stands also heated up because of the striker. Much to Moreno’s delight, the crowd at Ibercaja Estadio joined in, satisfying the starting forward’s desire for the spotlight in this third-tier match. The price was a yellow card, a cost he apparently paid gladly.
Ureña scored Real Zaragoza’s equalizer against Teruel. Photo: Pilar Álvarez
In the end, play did not resume until the ninth minute. Real Zaragoza were committed to playing football. They were technically superior to Teruel, with players from a higher division. But after 20 minutes, there had been no real danger. Only bland domination. It seemed they wanted to walk the ball over the goal line.
There were no shots until the 24th minute, when Espiau connected with a good cross from Jamelli, but he was offside. And yet, in the 29th minute, they almost scored on the goal line. A fine team move ended with Espiau laying the ball off first time to Jamelli, who was alone against Zarco. The goalkeeper parried it, and the ball bounced in the six-yard box. Jamelli scored in the 30th minute, but Espiau had clearly been offside beforehand.
Teruel could also have scored a second. In the 36th minute, Nicholas headed completely unmarked from a corner. Anartz gathered the ball at the second attempt. It would have been Teruel’s second and a disaster for Real Zaragoza. But the exact opposite happened. The equalizer came in the final move of the first half. Espiau’s shot was parried by Zarco, and Ureña arrived to tap home for 1-1. That lifted the Blanquillo supporters. But the job still had to be finished.
SECOND HALF
After that vital goal at the end of the first half, Real Zaragoza completely let loose. As soon as the second half began, Edu Espiau scored. Simple and elegant. Diego González delivered a perfectly measured cross, and the attacker headed home to make it 2-1 in the 46th minute.
Ibai Gómez’s side kept doing what they had set out to do: play and try to kill off the match. There were chances to extend their lead, while the game became too much for Teruel. They were short on players and fitness, something that is especially noticeable in the final stages of matches. That was exactly what happened.
Pau Sans wanted to make his mark and, shortly after coming on, took the spotlight for his own statement. Following several advantage plays, he was played in by Jaume Jardí, raced through against Zarco and made it 3-1. It was the 77th minute, and there was a feeling the match could no longer become bogged down.
Jamelli and, in the background, Jardí, celebrate a Real Zaragoza goal. Photo: Pilar Álvarez
In fact, Jardí himself would round off the score at 4-1. This one was more practical than elegant, with a shot that struck the Teruel defense before finding the net and increasing his personal tally.
Real Zaragoza did not inflict further damage. Nor did Teruel deserve it, having been a combative opponent until the closing stages. That result was enough to take them to the top of the third tier, a position they cannot afford to relinquish this season.
TEAM SHEET
Real Zaragoza: Anartz; Sangalli, Iranzo, Diego González, Escudero (Pereira, min 46’); Lucas Terrer, Ademo (Joaquín Delgado, min 46’); Jardí, Rubén Díez (Pinilla, min 78’), Ureña (Pau Sans, min 73’), Espiau (Saidu, min 59’)
C.D. Teruel: Zarco; Borge, Álvaro López, Nicholas, Joserra (Llácer, min 62’); Relu, Albisua; Gallardo, Redón (Romera, min 77’), Sesé (Belevonis, min 90’); Moreno (Moraitis, min 62’)
Referee: Camacho Garrote. Booked Moreno (6’), Joserra (24’), Ademo (35’) and Sangalli (73’)
Goals: 0-1, Moreno, penalty (4’); 1-1, Ureña (45+7’); 2-1, Espiau (46’); 3-1, Pau Sans (76’); 4-1, Jardí (85’).
