Real Zaragoza II’s Dying-Seconds Thriller Sinks Alfaro and Stakes Their Claim Among Group 2’s Elite

As the shadows lengthened over the Ciudad Deportiva del Real Zaragoza on Saturday afternoon, Real Zaragoza II delivered a performance soaked in drama and resolve—a 3-2 victory over Alfaro, secured by a last-gasp winner in the 90th minute that keeps the young Aragonese firmly in the upper reaches of Segunda RFEF Group 2.

It was the kind of match whose echoes will be felt well into the autumn. Twice Zaragoza II had to claw back after falling behind, and twice they found answers. But it was their relentless push in the final moments—down a man after a late red card—that underscored why this side is fast emerging as a force to be reckoned with in the fourth tier of Spanish football.

A Chaotic Symphony: Five Goals, One Red Card, No Dull Moments

The afternoon’s narrative unfolded with Alfaro, the visitors from La Rioja, striking first. On 21 minutes, a defensive miscue handed Alfaro the initiative, piercing the early Zaragoza resolve and momentarily silencing the home faithful. Yet, even as Alfaro pressed for a second, Zaragoza II began to exert the sort of patient authority that has become their hallmark since the campaign’s opening weeks.

Their response came with precision in the 36th minute: a sweeping move down the flank, a low, fizzing cross into the box, and the ball bundled over the line amidst a scramble—Zaragoza II’s equalizer, restoring both balance and belief. As half-time approached, they pressed the issue further. A moment of individual inspiration or perhaps a set-piece routine—details lost in the chaos—sent Zaragoza II roaring into a 2-1 lead in the 44th minute.

But Alfaro, though marooned in the lower half of the table, have shown this season that they possess more bite than their record suggests. Their recent 1-0 win against Utebo was no fluke. And so, with a steely composure, they found a second wind after the interval. The 54th minute saw Alfaro capitalize on a rare lapse, bringing the contest level at 2-2 and setting up a frenetic final half hour.

Form, Redemption, and the Weight of Standings

For Zaragoza II, this victory marks a sharp upturn from a tricky September that had threatened to derail their ambitions. Their last five matches had been a study in inconsistency: a heavy 0-3 defeat at home to Utebo, a narrow 0-2 loss at Sestao River, but also hard-earned wins—most notably a stolen victory at Basconia with a stoppage-time strike by Hugo Pinilla, and a solid display over Gernika. The thread running through those performances has been resilience, a trait that, once again, tilted affairs in their favor this afternoon.

With six matches played, Zaragoza II now sit fourth on 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses). The pressure is mounting in the upper echelons, but this win—snatched in heartbreak fashion for Alfaro—cements their status as genuine playoff contenders.

Alfaro, by contrast, find themselves in twelfth place with five points (1 win, 2 draws, 3 losses), yet with enough enterprise to suggest that salvation is plausible. Their recent form hints at progress: a win against Utebo and a gritty draw against Basconia are green shoots, but defensive frailties continue to haunt them, particularly late in games.

Defining Moments: Courage in the Crucible

As the crowd grew anxious and the clock bled into stoppage time, Zaragoza II, down a man after a red card in the 90th minute, summoned one last surge. The move, a testament to collective will, saw a low drive threaded through a thicket of defenders. The ensuing scramble left Alfaro’s goalkeeper stranded, and the ball found the back of the net for the decisive goal. In the melee, Zaragoza II also saw a player dismissed, a sour note in an otherwise jubilant crescendo—but one that only amplified the character shown.

History and Stakes Ahead

If recent head-to-head encounters have tended toward modest scorelines and tight margins, today’s five-goal spectacle marks a stunning departure—a statement game for Zaragoza II. The victory not only avenges past disappointments but sets a psychological marker for the rest of the league.

For Alfaro, the lesson is brutal but clear: in this league, margins are razor-thin, and composure in the dying embers is non-negotiable. As they look to climb out of the bottom third, a recalibration in defensive focus will be paramount.

Looking Forward: Ambition Meets Urgency

Zaragoza II now face the task of consolidating their position, with sterner tests ahead and little room for complacency. The challenge will be to channel today’s emotional high into a sustained run—one that could make promotion more than wishful thinking.

Alfaro, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. The potential is there, glimpsed in their attacking surges and flashes of resilience. But until they can translate those moments into points, the specter of a relegation fight will continue to haunt their autumn.

For both teams, today was a reminder: the Segunda División RFEF offers no refuge, only relentless competition—and, for those bold enough, the sweet taste of last-minute redemption.