2-0: UD Almería exit Spanish Cup after losing to CD Arenteiro
The Rojiblancos were surprised with an early goal in the 4th minute and when the game was closer to a tie, the final 2-0 came
UD Almería were defeated in Ourense against in-form Spanish Cup opponents who made things very difficult for them from the start of the match with Pibe's goal. The hosts piled high pressure on the Rojiblancos and as a result of that good attacking performance the 1-0 would come. In the second half, UD Almería would be very close to equalising on several occasions, but when Rubi's team were at their best, the second and the deciding goal came for CD Arenteiro in the 79th minute.
The team from the south coast kept trying until the end, although they had the option to turn things around. Rubi's starting XI would be marked by the first starts of Fuoli and Centelles this season. It was the keeper's debut with the UD Almería senior team; In the defensive zone, Arnau Puigmal returned on the right wing, a position in which he had already played some LaLiga Santander fixtures.
The hosts walked onto the pitch on the attack in the opening moments of the match and after 3 minutes, as a result of a great pressure on UD Almería's defensive back line, the opening goal would come; Antón Escobar was the one to score after taking advantage of a defensive error.
This encouraged the Galicians and they began to create some uncertainty in the Rojiblancos' defensive third during the first moments of the match. After the goal, the lads from Almería began to put in a commanding display as the water began to leave the field muddy; however, from the 20th minute on, the guests managed to have more possession of the ball and created more big chances.
With 35 minutes gone, it would be CD Arenteiro who engineered a great goal-scoring opportunity to make it 2-0; a good header from Pibe that hit the post and on the rebound, Fuoli got the ball.
The second half saw CD Arenteiro starting with great power and in the first play the Rojiblanco keeper was put to the test to make a save from a great left-footed shot from the edge of the box. Shortly after the Galician team netted, but it was chalked off for offside. The hosts bossed things with great saves by goalie Fuoli. In the 53rd minute, UD Almería made a double substitution, Gui Guedes made his debut with UD Almería and El Bilal Touré would join him, replacing Lázaro and Samú Costa. The changes inspired the team and Ramazani squandered a clear-cut chance in the 60th minute to tie the game, after a play in which the Belgian dribbled past 6 opponents from Arenteiro on his way to later strike beautifully inside the area with no luck.
UD Almería began to create more and more threatening situations over Diego García's goal. Sousa could have equalised in the 70th minute after a great header, but the Brazilian hit the woodwork. A minute earlier El Bilal also had an opportunity inside the area, however, it would be CD Arenteiro who scored the second goal, in the 79th minute, following a well-taken corner-kick and after a rebound that fell to Rafa Mella, who ended up beating Fuoli between the sticks.
UD Almería kept on trying until the final whistle, but it would not be possible and the Rojiblancos would end up being knocked out of the Copa del Rey.
