A spirited second-half fightback from Deportivo La Coruña rescued a 1-1 draw against Almeria at Estadio Abanca-Riazor, in a contest that showcased the resilience and technical prowess of two Segunda División contenders.

Almeria set the early tempo, dominating possession in the opening exchanges as midfielder Nicolás Melamed dictated play from deep. The visitors made their intent clear in the 23rd minute when defender Federico Bonini rose highest to head home from Melamed's pinpoint cross, giving Almeria a deserved lead after a sustained spell of pressure. The goal ignited Almeria’s confidence, with Sergio Arribas and Léo Baptistão probing the Deportivo defense for weaknesses.

Despite falling behind, Deportivo refused to be cowed in front of their home fans. The Galicians gradually turned the tide, with Yeremay Hernández and midfielder Diego Villares leading the charge. Although Deportivo finished the half with only 47% possession and trailed both statistically and on the scoreboard, their intent was unmistakable, registering 15 shots by the match’s end—more than their guests.

The turning point arrived in the 62nd minute. Substitute Z. Eddahchouri—fresh off the bench—whipped in a dangerous ball that Hernández met with a composed finish, levelling the proceedings and galvanizing the Riazor faithful. The equalizer reflected Deportivo’s growing control, as Almeria’s grip on midfield loosened and the hosts pressed in search of a winner.

Both sides saw opportunities slip away in the frantic final minutes; Daniel Barcia came close for Deportivo, while Baptistão forced a sharp stop from Germán Parreño. Tempers flared in midfield, with seven bookings issued in a contest that threatened to boil over but ultimately settled into an arm-wrestle of energy and discipline.

Coaches Antonio Hidalgo and Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia tapped into their bench depth, making timely substitutions to tip the balance—though neither side could find a late breakthrough. Defensive solidity on both ends ensured the points were shared, a result that keeps Deportivo unbeaten and Almeria clinging to the top half of the table.

For Deportivo, the draw extends their streak and consolidates their position near the summit, while Almeria will see this as a missed opportunity given their early dominance. Both teams, though, showed why they are expected to contend for promotion come season’s end.

For extended highlights and in-depth match analysis, official recap videos are available on channels such as LaLiga SmartBank’s YouTube, which boasts over 350,000 subscribers—offering verified, editorially curated footage and avoiding the pitfalls of unofficial or PlayStation-generated content.