Eibar II Rises Late: Dramatic 88th-Minute Strike Sinks Ejea, Shakes Up Segunda RFEF Survival Battle

The windswept slopes of the Ciudad Deportiva Eibar-Areitio witnessed a contest not only of skill but of nerve, as Eibar II overturned a one-goal deficit to claim a vital 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Ejea—a result that reverberates through the lower reaches of Spain’s Segunda División RFEF Group 2.

For much of the chilly Saturday afternoon, it seemed Ejea might seize the lifeline, adding an early spark to their October campaign. Their enterprise bore fruit in the 15th minute, when the visitors capitalized on a nervy Eibar II backline. In a swift move sprung from midfield, Ejea’s forward—anonymous in the record books but decisive on the day—latched onto a diagonal ball before slotting across the goalkeeper. The shock of conceding early haunted Eibar II, whose form in recent weeks has been characterized by an anemic attack and mounting pressure.

Yet the home side, perched a single point below Ejea in the standings at kickoff, sought resolve. Eibar II’s response was measured but insistent. Growing in confidence, they earned their opportunity just before the interval. In the 39th minute, a slick exchange along the right flank led to a cross that, after ricocheting dangerously in the box, was hammered home at close range. The Areitio crowd exhaled, sensing the momentum shift as Eibar II found an equalizer critical to their survival ambitions.

The contest bristled with tension after the break. Both sides displayed the hallmarks of teams desperate for traction—a blend of errant passes, crunching tackles, and the occasional flash of composure. Ejea’s attempts to reclaim the initiative repeatedly foundered in the face of Eibar II’s reinvigorated midfield, while the hosts carved half-chances that drew anxious groans from both benches. A rash challenge midway through the half sparked heated protests, but the referee, keeping his cards holstered, allowed tempers to cool.

As the match crept toward its denouement, a draw appeared possible—perhaps even inevitable, given the form and fortunes that had dogged both squads in recent weeks. Eibar II, without a win since their frenetic 4-3 triumph over Alfaro in mid-September, looked poised to collect just a consolation point.

Then, with the clock ticking toward full time, the breakthrough that may yet define Eibar II’s season arrived. In the 88th minute, a looping free kick was met with a towering header inside the area. The ball cannoned off the crossbar, fell amid a melee of defenders, and was prodded over the line by an Eibar II attacker. The stadium erupted. Coaches hurled water bottles skyward in elation; substitutes spilled onto the track in celebration.

The 2-1 scoreline endured the final flurry of desperate Ejea attacks. Eibar II’s keeper, a spectator for much of the second half, sprang into action late to deny a last-ditch volley, cementing three points that may prove invaluable come season’s end.

In context, this win could be the catalyst Eibar II so desperately needed. The Basque outfit, mired in 14th place before kickoff with just four points from five matches, leapfrogs Ejea in the standings. Their recent run—marked by a draw at Náxara and narrow defeats to Deportivo Alavés II and Tudelano—offered little hint of such late drama. Today’s resilience, however, suggests a side capable of recalibrating in adversity.

Ejea, in contrast, must wrestle with familiar frailties. Having tasted victory only once all season, their grip on narrow leads has proved slippery. A draw against Real Zaragoza II last time out was another squandered opportunity; today’s loss may be more damaging for morale than even the standings suggest. Remaining rooted in the lower mid-table with five points from as many outings, their next fixtures now loom large.

Recent head-to-head meetings between these sides have often been tightly contested, reflective of their shared struggles to convert potential into results. Neither club has asserted dominance in their battles, but this latest tilt may tip the psychological balance for Eibar II.

As the autumn air turns sharper and the margin for error thins, both Eibar II and Ejea face a campaign defined not by showpiece victories but by character in the crucible of relegation pressure. For the victors, today’s comeback offers hope—a reminder that belief can be forged in the final throes of a match. For Ejea, the search for consistency and composure becomes urgent, with every point precious in a league that offers no respite.

The road ahead demands resolve. But as the sun set over Areitio, it was Eibar II who strode off emboldened, their season given new life by a goal that might yet echo into spring.