Aretxabaleta Surge Past Aurrerá Vitoria in Six-Goal Thriller, Shakes Up Tercera División’s Top Five

ARAIA — On a blustery Sunday afternoon at the Campo de Fútbol Ibarra, UD Aretxabaleta delivered a statement performance to upend second-place Aurrerá Vitoria, 4-2, in a match that bristled with attacking intent and redefined the contours of the Tercera División RFEF’s Group 4 hierarchy. Aretxabaleta’s third consecutive victory vaults them into the thick of the promotion chase and sends an unambiguous warning to their rivals: this side is gathering momentum, and quickly.

The encounter began with an unmistakable sense of occasion. Aurrerá Vitoria, riding high with four wins from five and an eye on retaining their early-season hold on the summit, arrived as slight favorites—yet it was the home side who seized the narrative. From the opening whistle, Aretxabaleta pressed with purpose, seeking to disrupt Vitoria’s rhythm and establish their own.

First Half Fireworks

An early breakthrough set the tone. Aretxabaleta—buoyed by a home crowd that grew louder with every forward thrust—found the opening goal midway through the first period. The hosts capitalized on a misjudged clearance, the ensuing scramble in the penalty area ending with a clinical finish that put Aretxabaleta up 1-0. The response from Aurrerá Vitoria was immediate and fierce; their attacking trio combined slickly to restore parity, leveling the match before the break.

Yet, the spell belonged to Aretxabaleta. Undeterred by the setback, they surged forward again. On the stroke of halftime, a quick transition saw their winger break free down the flank and deliver a pinpoint cross to the far post, where their striker rose unchallenged to nod home. With the crowd on its feet, Aretxabaleta took a slim but significant 2-1 lead into the locker room.

Turning Points and Decisive Blows

The match’s decisive phase came in a frantic fifteen-minute spell after the restart. Aretxabaleta’s midfield, composed and energetic, began to dominate possession, forcing Aurrerá Vitoria onto the back foot. Their efforts were rewarded with a third goal, the product of a clever one-two on the edge of the box that split the defense and left the visiting goalkeeper exposed.

Aurrerá Vitoria, unaccustomed to chasing the game this season, responded with urgency. Their pressure told midway through the second half when a curling shot from distance beat the Aretxabaleta keeper to narrow the deficit to 3-2. For a moment, it appeared as if the visitors would claw their way back; a crucial defensive intervention—perhaps the play of the day—kept Aretxabaleta’s lead intact, as a last-ditch tackle denied Aurrerá an equalizer.

With time slipping away, Aretxabaleta struck the final blow, capping a stunning counterattack with their fourth goal. The finish was clinical; the celebration, raucous. At 4-2, the points were all but secured.

Implications for the Standings

This result sends shockwaves through the upper echelon of Group 4. Aretxabaleta leap to 10 points (3W-1D-1L) after five rounds, now just two shy of Aurrerá Vitoria, who suffer their first significant stumble of the campaign but remain in second with 12 points. For the hosts, it’s a third straight win—coming on the heels of impressive victories over Leioa and Eibar III—signaling that their early stumbles are firmly behind them.

Aurrerá Vitoria, meanwhile, must reckon not just with a sharp reversal in fortune but also with the defensive vulnerabilities exposed in back-to-back matches conceding multiple goals. Their previous form—a run of clean sheets and assured defending—will be put to the test as challengers close the gap.

Recent Form and Rivalry Rekindled

Before today, Aretxabaleta’s season had been defined by steady progression, the team using a blend of defensive rigor and opportunistic finishing to build momentum. This latest result marks their most emphatic victory yet—and avenges prior frustrations in this Basque fixture. The rivalry, while not the oldest in the region, has gained intensity in recent years, with both clubs pushing for promotion and points often proving precious.

For Aurrerá Vitoria, the setback ends a four-match winning streak and exposes cracks beneath the surface of their promising start. Having kept pace with leaders thanks to a disciplined, workmanlike approach, they now confront their first true test of character.

What’s Next

The stakes only escalate from here. Aretxabaleta, surging in both confidence and stature, will look to build on this run as the calendar turns toward tougher autumn fixtures—a string of results like this could see them emerge as serious contenders for promotion.

For Aurrerá Vitoria, the response in the coming weeks will be telling. A chance for redemption awaits, but with the chasing pack closing in and the margin for error shrinking, every point matters now more than ever. The Group 4 race, suddenly, looks far from settled.

The story of this Tercera División campaign is still being written, but after today, one thing is clear: Aretxabaleta’s voice will be heard.