Oyonesa Stuns Calahorra 2-1 at Oion Arena, Shaking Up Tercera División RFEF Group 16 Standings

OION, Spain—Under the gray autumn sky of La Rioja, Oyonesa delivered an emphatic message to the league’s early frontrunners, toppling previously unbeaten Calahorra 2-1 on Sunday at Oion Arena. From the thunderclap opening goal to a second-half surge and a tense finish, Oyonesa’s performance resonated beyond the scoreline, rewriting expectations in Tercera División RFEF Group 16.

The local crowd had barely settled into their seats before Oyonesa signaled their intent. Within two minutes, a slick passing sequence sliced through Calahorra’s midfield, culminating in a clinical finish by Oyonesa’s forward—a goal that set the tempo and sent a ripple of anticipation through the terraces. The visitors, shaken but not bowed, gathered themselves but soon found that Oyonesa’s energy would prove difficult to contain.

If the first half showcased Oyonesa’s drive and Calahorra’s composure under pressure, the second delivered the drama. After making adjustments at the interval, Calahorra emerged more assertive, pushing for an equalizer that would preserve their unbeaten record. But in the 57th minute, Oyonesa doubled their lead—a sweeping counterattack that caught Calahorra stretched just as they pressed for a foothold. The finish was direct, ruthless, and left Calahorra with a mountain to climb.

Yet Calahorra’s resilience surfaced quickly. Just four minutes after conceding, they clawed one back in the 61st—an effort borne out of desperation and determination, as their striker latched onto a diagonal ball and found the net. The goal reignited visiting hopes and tilted the rhythm of the match. For the last half hour, Calahorra pressed relentlessly, their reputation as group favorites on the line. Oyonesa, meanwhile, absorbed wave after wave, determined to hold tight to their narrow advantage.

While no red cards marred the contest, the intensity lingered in every duel—a match that rarely felt settled until the final whistle. With each Oyonesa clearance and Calahorra foray, the stakes were clear: the top of the standings and a statement of ambition for both clubs.

For Oyonesa, the result is their third straight league win—they now sit sixth on nine points, having won three of their last five fixtures. Recent victories at Comillas (3-1) and at home against Vianés (3-2) and San Marcial (2-1) have signaled a squad finding rhythm and confidence. Losses to Arnedo and La Calzada earlier in the campaign are receding in the rearview, replaced by a sense of growing momentum.

Calahorra arrived as one of the group’s powerhouses, unbeaten in five and riding high in second place with 11 points. Their last outing—a dominant 3-0 win over Pradejón—reinforced their credentials, while earlier victories against Haro Deportivo (2-0) and Villegas (a resounding 7-0) marked them as favorites. Even their two draws, at Anguiano (1-1) and Agoncillo (0-0), spoke to defensive steel and consistency. But Sunday’s setback complicates their pursuit of the top spot and, more crucially, exposes vulnerabilities that will be scrutinized in the weeks ahead.

Head-to-head history between these two sides has often tilted Calahorra’s way—last season saw them collect points with regularity in this fixture—but Oyonesa’s victory today punctures that narrative, and may mark a turning point in a rivalry that is increasingly defined by competitive balance rather than superiority.

The implications for the table are immediate and consequential. Oyonesa’s win narrows the gap to Calahorra, injecting fresh intrigue into Group 16’s hierarchy. With just two points separating the squads after five matches, neither side can afford complacency as the autumn fixtures pile up. The pressure now shifts to Calahorra’s response: will this loss prove an aberration, or signal a broader challenge as they chase promotion?

For Oyonesa, confidence will surge as they prepare for their next outing, their sights set on climbing further up the standings. Key to their progress will be the sustained goal-scoring threat that has delivered eight goals across their last three matches—a stark contrast to the sluggish start in September.

Calahorra, meanwhile, must confront their first defeat of the campaign. How they manage adversity—recovering both tactically and psychologically—will define the weeks ahead. Managerial adjustments, squad rotations, and an honest reckoning of today’s defensive lapses will be critical as they seek to reaffirm their ambitions.

At Oion Arena, Oyonesa fans left with renewed belief, their team’s resilience and attacking verve shining brightest on a day that may yet shape the season’s narrative. For Calahorra, the journey is far from over, but the road ahead suddenly seems less certain, and all eyes will be on their answer when next they take the field.