Lega Fails to Earn Points in Castellón (2-0)

C.D. Leganés failed to pick up any points on their visit to C.D. Castellón, losing 2-0. Mabil, in the first half, and Suero, from a highly controversial penalty late in the game, scored the goals for Castellón.

Igor Oca made just one change to the Leganés lineup from their last victory against Valladolid, with Roberto López starting in place of Óscar Plano. The match began evenly and intensely, with a dangerous early chance for Leganés in the 12th minute, as Franquesa’s good run just missed finding a finisher. Castellón responded in the 15th minute with a left-footed shot by Cala from the edge of the box that Juan Soriano saved low.

In the 28th minute, the home side took the lead through Mabil, who fired a right-footed shot following a rebound from a set piece that was unstoppable for Juan Soriano. Castellón came out strong after the goal, forcing Soriano to make a save in the 32nd minute on a shot by Camara to prevent a second goal. Lega looked to bounce back from the blow with a shot by Roberto López in the 34th minute from outside the box that missed the target. In the 41st minute, Álex Millán headed a good cross from Naim over the bar. The home team held on to their narrow lead going into halftime.

The second half began with no substitutions, with Lega taking the initiative and trying to penetrate the opponent’s box, as seen in a fine run by Naim whose cross narrowly missed finding a finisher. Juan Cruz had a clear chance in the 61st minute after a great pass from Cissé, but the defense cleared the ball just as Matthys was beaten. Midway through the second half, Igor Oca made his first two substitutions, bringing on Óscar Plano and Pauwels for Roberto López and Naim to inject some fresh energy into the attack.

Shortly after, Melero and Diego came on for Cissé and Álex Millán in an attempt to push the team toward the equalizer. In the final stretch, Arcediano Monescillo called a highly questionable penalty in the Leganés box that VAR did not overturn, and in the 87th minute, Suero converted it to make it 2-0.

Leganés remains on 26 points in the standings, and their next match will be on Saturday, the 24th (4:15 p.m.) at Ontime Butarque against Real Sociedad ‘B’.