Almería extended their unbeaten streak to eleven matches with a resounding 4-1 victory against Racing de Ferrol on Sunday, putting them firmly at the top of Liga Hypermotion standings. The star of the match, Luis Suárez, showcased his impressive form, scoring three goals and leading his team to another commanding win.
Playing at Estadio de A Malata, the match started under challenging weather conditions, with heavy rain affecting the play. Almería, under coach Rubi, had made several changes to their lineup, including goalkeeper Maximiano, who stepped in due to Fernando's injury, and defender Kaiky, who replaced the suspended Chumi. Unfortunately for the crimson and whites, disaster struck early as Brazilian forward Baptistao got injured just 15 minutes in, forcing him to leave the pitch for Nico Melamed.
The first half saw Almería face significant pressure from Racing Ferrol, who controlled the ball well and moved it effectively across the pitch, creating multiple threats against their goal. Their defense looked shaky at times, with goalkeeper Maximiano making several key saves to keep the score level. One of the standout moments occurred when Luis Suárez, from just outside the area, weaved through defenders and unleashed a spectacular shot to put Almería ahead 1-0 just before half-time.
Despite Almería leading at the break, the second half began with Racing de Ferrol equalizing almost immediately. Geraldo struck from outside the box, hitting the post and sending the ball crashing back past Maximiano to level the scores at 1-1. It looked like the momentum might shift to the home team, but Suárez quickly turned the tide back to Almería’s favor.
Just moments after Racing's goal, Suárez was fouled inside the box, earning Almería a penalty. The Colombian forward confidently took the shot himself, outsmarting goalkeeper Jesús Ruiz and firing the ball home to restore Almería's lead at 2-1. With the floodgates reopened, it was clear the visitors were back on track.
Minutes later, Suárez turned provider as he assisted Arribas, who executed a brilliant maneuver to dribble past the Racing goalkeeper and slot the ball home. This 57th-minute goal pushed Almería's lead to 3-1, which seemed to demoralize the opponents.
Continuing their onslaught, Suárez completed his hat-trick shortly after when he scored another stunning goal, bringing the final score to 4-1. The quick counterattacks and tactical discipline shown by Almería were on full display, proving their assertion of dominance throughout the match.
Rubi’s side displayed resilience and tactical awareness, as they countered effectively against Racing's attempts to equalize after each goal. The performance echoed the criticism they faced over their recent form, demonstrating growth particularly after previous lackluster displays. Adapting quickly to challenges such as the injuries saw them executing successful transitions, addressing issues coach Rubi had previously highlighted.
Reflecting on the victory, Rubi expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly highlighting the importance of maintaining their winning momentum. The match marked Suárez's 15th goal of the season, bringing him close to topping the league's scoring charts alongside Uzuni.
The win not only consolidated Almería’s position at the top of the league, but also firmly set Rubi's coaching tenure as one of the team's best starts since he took over. With this victory under their belts, Almería fans are optimistic for the remaining fixtures and are cautiously awaiting their next match against Cádiz, where Rubi has the opportunity to match records set by prior coaches.
Almería will look to build on this performance, as the continuous adaptation to on-pitch challenges reveals the squad’s depth and tactical flexibility contributors to their extraordinary run this season.
