2-1: Away defeat for Almería after late, late drama
Samu Costa’s first-half goal put the Rojiblancos in front but they ended up empty-handed
UD Almería returned empty-handed from their league meeting with Ponferradina as late, late drama sealed three points for the hosts. The Rojiblancos were better performers in the first half to the point of getting ahead before the interval and even enjoyed the opportunity to double their lead after the restart. The visitors were the architects of their own downfall having also gifted Ponferradina a leveller and a last-grasp winner (2-1).
José Gomes decided on this occasion that the starting XI would be made up of keeper Makaridze; Balliu, Maraš, Cuenca, Akieme, Morlanes, Samú Costa, Corpas, Villalba, João Carvalho —the last two were handed starting spots again— and Juan Villar occupying Sadiq Umar’s position.
It was a fast-paced first-half with both teams evenly matched, yet UD Almería were gradually gaining momentum until they were able to dominate through and through. In fact, the Rojiblancos in their away kits enjoyed quite a few attempts at goal, however Samú Costa slotted home from long range to open the scoring (0-1).
After the restart, the Indálicos continued bossing things with clear fine efforts following one another. Akieme ventured up front, dribbled past some defenders with a threatening individual action inside 57 minutes but the left-back only missed the goal. Caro was lucky and prevented the visitors from extending their advantage.
Out of the blue, everything changed. Almeria began to lose momentum, making it easy for Ponferradina to approach the opposing goal. An error in a counter-attack led to the home team response in which Yuri beat Makaridze to draw level (1-1).
José Gomes looked for solutions with additions from the bench. Lazo was fielded and Carvalho was benched. Shortly after, since the Rojiblancos did not regain order, Brian Rodríguez, Schettine and Ramazani entered the game to make a difference. Finally, Petrović occupied Morlanes’ place.
Ponferradina were getting closer and closer once UD Almería suffered the unexpected setback. The hosts took advantage, tried to come back from behind and had clear-cut chances of having pulled off the second. And that is exactly what happened when Moi put his name onto the scoresheet to break the deadlock within 89 minutes (2-1).
There was no time for more. After a brilliant, promising first-half and beginning of the second period, UD Almeria could not become the best version of themselves away from home. As a result, the Rojiblancos dropped out of the automatic promotion slots to top-flight LaLiga Santander with a 2-1 loss to SD Ponferradina.