Almería Storms Past Zaragoza in Six-Goal Thriller, Leaving Visitors Stuck at Rock Bottom

A Tale of Two Halves

On a brisk October evening at the UD Almería Stadium, the Segunda División served up a contest that crackled with energy, subplots, and a flurry of late goals. The final scoreline—Almería 4, Zaragoza 2—only tells part of the story. This was a match that encapsulated both teams’ recent trajectories: Almería’s steady rise up the table, and Zaragoza’s deepening crisis.

The First Act: Patience and Promise

The opening half was a cagey affair, both sides feeling each other out. Almería, under manager X, had the lion’s share of possession but struggled to break down a determined Zaragoza defense. The visitors, desperate to arrest a slide that has left them mired in the relegation zone, showed admirable defensive discipline, even if it meant sacrificing attacking ambition.

As the halftime whistle blew, it was clear the match was balanced on a knife-edge. The stadium pulsed with tension, the 0-0 scoreline belying the sense that something significant was brewing.

The Second Act: Chaos Unleashed

The deadlock lasted less than four minutes after the restart. In the 49th minute, Daijiro Chirino, Almería’s dynamic Japanese midfielder, received the ball just outside the box, turned sharply, and rifled a low drive into the bottom corner. The stadium erupted, and the floodgates opened. Two minutes later, Adrián Embarba—a veteran whose left foot has tormented Segunda defenses for a decade—doubled the lead with a curling free-kick that seemed to catch even the Zaragoza goalkeeper off-guard.

Suddenly, Almería were rampant. Their passing was crisper, their movement sharper. Zaragoza, shellshocked, could only watch as their defensive solidity evaporated. The visitors’ midfield, overrun and out of ideas, left their backline exposed to wave after wave of Almerían attacks.

A Brief Hope, Then More Despair

Just past the hour mark, Kenan Kodro gave Zaragoza a lifeline, nodding home a cross to make it 2-1 in the 78th minute. For a fleeting moment, it seemed the visitors might salvage something. But hope proved a fickle friend.

As the game entered its dying moments, chaos erupted. Arnau Puigmal restored Almería’s two-goal cushion with a composed finish in the 90th minute. Mere seconds later, Mario Soberón replied for Zaragoza, but any thoughts of a grandstand finish were quashed when Dion Lopy answered immediately for Almería, putting the result beyond doubt. The final whistle blew on a 4-2 home win—an electric, end-to-end finale that left both sets of supporters breathless.

Context and Consequence

Almería’s recent form has been a mix of promise and frustration. Before this match, they had drawn 1-1 at Deportivo La Coruña, won narrowly at Las Palmas, and suffered a disappointing loss to Racing Santander. The win over Zaragoza, then, was a statement: X’s men are learning to grind out results, even when the performance isn’t always fluent. Sitting ninth with 12 points from eight games, Almería is within striking distance of the promotion playoff places, thanks largely to the firepower of Embarba and the ever-present threat of Chirino.

For Zaragoza, the picture is grim. One win in their last five—a solitary victory over Mirandés—has seen them plummet to 21st. Their defense, once the foundation of their play, has sprung leaks. The only solace is a trio of draws, but the lack of goals—just two in the last five games—is a growing concern. Today, they showed flashes of fight, but the late collapse suggests a team bereft of confidence.

Head-to-Head: A Telling Trend

Historically, these fixtures have been tightly contested. But recent history favors Almería, who have now won three of the last four meetings. Zaragoza, for all their storied past, are in danger of becoming a team defined by their struggles.

Turning Points and Tactical Notes

• Chirino’s Opener: The Japanese midfielder’s goal was the catalyst, a moment of individual brilliance that shifted the momentum irreversibly.
• Embarba’s Free-Kick: A veteran’s touch at a crucial moment, underscoring Almería’s superior set-piece quality.
• Late Goal Frenzy: The final ten minutes were a microcosm of both teams’ seasons—Almería ruthless, Zaragoza fragile.

No red cards marred the contest, but discipline will be a concern for both managers as the season progresses.

What’s Next?

For Almería, the road ahead is bright. With key players in form and a home crowd behind them, they’ll look to climb into the top six. For Zaragoza, the winter looms large. Rooted at the bottom, they must find a way to stop the rot—and quickly. The Segunda División is unforgiving, and the clock is ticking.

Final Thoughts

This was a night when Almería announced their ambition and Zaragoza confronted their demons. In a league where margins are thin and drama is guaranteed, the result leaves one team looking up—and the other staring into the abyss.