UD Almería advanced to the Spanish Cup second round with a solid 0-2 victory over CF Lorca Deportiva at the Artés Carrasco Stadium. A crowd of just over 1,000 UD Almería travelling fans saw their team dominate the match, with a squad predominantly composed of fringe players and emerging talents.

In a move that highlighted the depth of his squad, head coach Rubi opted for an experimental starting XI, with players who had seen limited league action this season. This lineup included the season debut of Robertone, along with standouts such as Thalys, Pedro Fidel and Perović.

Despite the lack of match fitness and cohesion, the Rojiblancos delivered an impressive performance.

The Copa del Rey first-round tie kicked off with UD Almería quickly asserting control, with the majority of possession and the best opportunities coming their way. While CF Lorca Deportiva fought hard to pull off an upset, they struggled to generate any real danger in front of goal.

UD Almería’s dominance continued into the second half, where the score remained narrow despite their clear superiority.

One of the most notable moments came on 48 minutes, when Perović fumbled a clear opportunity, sending his shot wide. Lorca’s best chance came in the 55th minute, but Pedro Fidel’s solid defensive play kept the home side at bay.

Rubi made changes in the 62nd minute, bringing on Nico Melamed, Embarba, and Lopy for Perović, Arnau Puigmal and Robertone. The tactical shift saw Soko move into attack alongside Thalys, forming a 4-4-2 system. Embarba nearly made it 0-2 shortly after, but the home side keeper was equal to the task.

The exciting match was finally put to bed in the 90th minute, as Embarba’s brilliant strike sealed the 0-2 victory, ensuring UD Almería's place in the Spanish Cup second round.