Atlético Pulpileño Stuns League Leaders Real Murcia II With Gritty Late Winner at Estadio San Miguel

A late strike in the 83rd minute shattered the stalemate and sent a surge of jubilation through Estadio San Miguel, as Atlético Pulpileño handed first-place Real Murcia II their first loss of the season, a 1-0 upset that redefines the momentum in Tercera División RFEF Group 13.

The match began under the shadow of standings that suggested a clear favorite. Real Murcia II arrived unbeaten and perched atop the table, their 13 points accrued from five matches making them the pacesetters of early autumn. In contrast, Atlético Pulpileño, mired in mid-table with just one victory all season and a penchant for grinding out draws, appeared destined for another afternoon of damage control against a free-scoring adversary.

Yet, from the opening whistle, Pulpileño’s approach was unmistakably bold. Pressing high, contesting every loose ball, and refusing to cede midfield control, the hosts set a combative tone that blunted Real Murcia II’s attacking rhythm. Despite flashes of technical promise from the visitors—whose sharp passing and quick interchanges have been the hallmark of their campaign—opportunities were few and far between in a tense, tactical first half.

Real Murcia II’s brightest moment came in the 37th minute, when a swift move down the right saw their winger break into the box, only for Pulpileño’s keeper to smother the angled shot at close range. Moments later, a curling free-kick narrowly missed the top corner, a fleeting reminder of why the visitors had topped the early season scoring charts.

Pulpileño, meanwhile, probed with intent but rarely troubled Real Murcia II’s imposing back line before halftime. The turning point arrived midway through the second half. Real Murcia II’s composed defensive posture began to fray as Atlético Pulpileño—buoyed by the partisan crowd—pushed with renewed purpose. The introduction of fresh legs on the flanks injected urgency, and the home side’s pressing soon coaxed errors from Murcia’s back four.

The decisive moment unfolded in the 83rd minute. After sustained pressure and a scramble in the penalty area, the ball fell kindly for a Pulpileño attacker, who lashed a low shot through a crowded box and past the outstretched goalkeeper. The goal, met with a cacophony of cheers, was as much a product of perseverance as of poise.

There was no immediate response from Real Murcia II. Their late forays forward were met by an organized Pulpileño defense, marshaled with authority and committed to preserving the lead at all costs. The final whistle sparked scenes of elation among home supporters and players alike—a just reward for a team that had suffered more frustration than fortune in recent weeks.

For Atlético Pulpileño, the result marks a second successive 1-0 victory and a decisive shift in morale. After a stuttering September, which saw them collect just three points from four tough fixtures, back-to-back wins against promotion contenders underline a side rediscovering its competitive edge. Their climb to ninth place with six points, though modest in the broader standings, now carries the scent of upward mobility.

Real Murcia II, by contrast, must reckon with their first taste of defeat. The league leaders, whose last five matches had featured impressive come-from-behind wins and clinical finishing, found themselves stifled and outmaneuvered. While their grasp on first place remains secure for now, the chasing pack will have observed chinks in the armor.

Head-to-head, these encounters have often leaned in favor of Real Murcia II, but today’s reversal may signal a recalibration of the rivalry’s balance. If Pulpileño’s resurgence is to be sustained, this afternoon's signature result will stand as a defining moment.

Discipline remained largely in check, with no red cards issued, though tempers simmered in the closing minutes as Real Murcia II pressed desperately for an equalizer. The hosts’ resolve never wavered, and the match’s single goal stood untouched.

Looking ahead, Atlético Pulpileño will seek to convert this surge into a sustained run, aiming to overcome early season inconsistency and reassert themselves in the race for playoff contention. For Real Murcia II, the task is clear: regroup, rediscover their attacking fluidity, and prove that today’s setback was a brief stumble rather than a turning of the tide.

On a day when grit trumped reputation, Estadio San Miguel witnessed the kind of statement performance that can ignite a season—and rattle the summit.