First defeat at Tenerife (2-0)

C.D. Leganés was unable to earn any points on its visit to C.D. Tenerife (2-0) in a match for Matchday 5 of LALIGA HYPERMOTION. A two-goal performance by Enric Gallego led to the Pepineros’ first loss of the season. 
Rubén Albés made just one change to the Leganés lineup from the previous matchday against Las Palmas, bringing in Álex Sancris on the left wing in place of Rubén Peña, who was left out of the roster due to a minor injury. It was Sancris’s first start for Leganés after having previously seen action against Eldense and Las Palmas.

Enric Gallego, following a penalty reviewed by VAR, put Tenerife ahead in the first half

Lega had the first chance of the match in the 10th minute, after a cross from the left by Sancris that Morata headed just wide. The match began evenly, with both teams battling for possession in midfield, and in the 21st minute, Gharbi had a chance following an assist from Kechta, but the home defense blocked his first-time left-footed shot.

In the 23rd minute, the referee, following a VAR review, called a penalty on a contested play between Zico Buurmeester and Enric Gallego. The forward himself stepped up to convert it, putting Tenerife ahead and making it 1-0. Leganés couldn’t recover from the blow of the home team’s goal, and Tenerife sought a second in the minutes that followed. Gharbi had a chance in the 44th minute following a nice build-up between Kechta and Morata, but his shot down the middle was easily caught by Dani Martín. The home team held a narrow lead heading into halftime.

Morata had a chance to equalize at the start of the second half

The second half began with Dani Rodríguez coming on for Álex Sancris, with the Betanzos native taking the same position as “No. 22,” who had been booked during the first forty-five minutes. Leganés came out looking for the equalizer, and in the 49th minute, Morata had a chance after another nice play by Kechta, but his first-time left-footed shot sailed over the bar.

Leganés couldn’t find their rhythm; they tried, but couldn’t break down Tenerife’s defense. Gharbi came close to controlling a great long ball from Ignasi Miquel in the box, but the home defense cleared it away, denying the scoring opportunity. In the 62nd minute, Rubén Albés made his second substitution in search of the equalizer, bringing on Soko for Zico to add more bite to the attack. Gharbi dropped back into midfield, and the Cameroonian took up a spot up front alongside Morata.

Enric Gallego sealed the home victory with his second goal of the match

The Franco-Tunisian tried his luck on a direct free kick in the 69th minute with a long-range shot that was blocked by the home goalkeeper. In the 71st minute, Pulido and Álex Millán came on for Ignasi Miquel and Morata in two more substitutions by the Pepinero coach. In the 74th minute, Tenerife, on a counterattack, scored their second goal, again courtesy of Enric Gallego. Leganés didn’t give up, with a header by Lalo that was saved by Dani Martín. In the 84th minute, Sule came on for Naim in Rubén Albés’s final substitution. However, Leganés was unable to break through the home team’s defense this time and ended up conceding the three points.

Leganés thus suffered its first loss of the season. The Pepineros remain on eight points in the standings and will play their next match on Sunday (9:00 p.m.) at Ontime Butarque against Granada C.F.