The match unfolded as expected. Real Zaragoza, embroiled in the fight for promotion to Segunda División, visited a Tudelano side trying to avoid relegation to the fifth tier of Spanish football (Tercera RFEF). The question was how the game would develop, given the extremely poor condition of the pitch.
Real Zaragoza’s less regular players took advantage of the opportunity and rose to the occasion. Goals from Delgado, Pau Sans twice and Pinilla honored the tournament’s six-time champions’ badge and put the score at 0-4 on the scoreboard by the end of the first 45 minutes, with the same scoreline remaining until the final whistle.
THE MATCH
Real Zaragoza took to the field exactly as expected in every respect: both in the lineup and in the condition of the pitch. In several areas, it was more brown than green. So the need to adapt was very real.
A goal had to come early, otherwise the match could become long and uncomfortable for that reason. In fact, the pitch seemed to worsen with every play. Real Zaragoza saw that it was struggling with the opposition’s corner kicks and, after conceding two in the opening five minutes, switched on to avoid finding itself in trouble. It would not have been the first time in a relatively recent period…
Real Zaragoza therefore brought out its firepower to extinguish the hopes of a poor Tudelano side that, despite trying, could not make an impact. Cuenca laid the ball off to Delgado inside the area after a long pass, and he sent it into the top corner to make it 0-1 after 11 minutes.
Real Zaragoza players walk onto the Ciudad de Tudela pitch. Photo: M.G.
The second goal arrived in a similar move. Anartz cleared the ball with great force, sending it through the Navarrese defense without anyone managing to get a touch. The smartest player was Pau Sans, outstanding on the night, who collected the ball, entered the area and was brought down. The same No. 9 converted the penalty in the 19th minute to make it 0-2.
Real Zaragoza already had the result under control. The game was based on long balls, so there was little genuine suffering. Although Tudelano created three consecutive chances during a moment of relaxation from the visitors, one of them a shot against the post around the half-hour mark, there was no real danger.
In fact, Real Zaragoza’s third goal was next to arrive. An inspired Pau Sans, showing his recovered talent, unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the area that struck the crossbar and bounced down, in the referee’s view, inside the goal. It was 0-3 in the 36th minute.
Condition of the pitch where Real Zaragoza played. Photo: M.G.
The fourth goal was celebrated especially because it was scored by Pinilla, who had been completely marginalized up to that point. Pau Sans—what a performance—set him up inside the area, and he moved forward before finishing high to beat Iván, who collected the fourth ball from the back of his net.
SECOND HALF
Real Zaragoza maintained its pace at the start of the second half, but gradually lowered its intensity. Between the scoreline and the introduction of several academy players, the sides became more evenly matched. Zaragoza neither went all out to run up the score against Tudelano nor allowed the hosts to put it under sustained pressure.
The visitors played to protect the result. Pinilla and Cuenca could have scored a fifth, while the home side came close to taking advantage of some attacks down the wings, which were less well covered in the second half. Gabilondo’s departure was noticeable and, to a lesser extent, so was Pereira’s. Overall, however, Real Zaragoza controlled the match without apparent problems.
In the end, the score remained 0-4 and Real Zaragoza secured its passage to the next round. It advanced once again and, above all, ensured that it respected a competition that has brought so much joy to the club’s history.
TEAM SHEET
C.D. Tudelano: Iván; Coco, Marlone, Juanena (Marco, 46’), Pedrosa (Sarriegi, 46’); Alonso, Ekhi (Mora, 62’), Zaka (Vélez, 67’); Oiartzabal, Kevin (Gerard, 75’), Alegre
Real Zaragoza: Anartz; Gabilondo (Lalo Arantegui, 62’), Tachi, Barrachina, Pereira (Escudero, 46’); Cuenca, Saidu, Monzón (Beltrán, 72’), Pinilla; Pau Sans (Tobajas, 62’), Delgado (Laken, 62’)
Referee: Álvarez Rodríguez. Booked César Monaterio (Tudelano coach).
Goals: 0-1, Delgado (11’); 0-2, Pau Sans, penalty (19’); 0-3, Pau Sans (36’); 0-4, Pinilla (40').
