In a thrilling encounter at the Cartagonova Stadium, FC Cartagena emerged victorious over Racing de Santander with a narrow 1-0 win, marking their first victory in five months. The match, part of the 38th round of LaLiga Hypermotion, saw Dani Luna score the decisive goal just before halftime, bringing an end to a dismal 19-game winless streak for the Cartagena side.
The atmosphere in the stadium was charged, with approximately 500 fans from Cantabria making the trip to support their team, despite the home crowd being sparse. Racing started the match on the front foot, dominating possession and creating several chances, including a notable shot from Iñigo Vicente that struck the crossbar.
Cartagena, under the guidance of coach Guillermo Fernández Romo, who was facing his former team, adopted a more cautious approach, waiting for opportunities to counter-attack. After a series of missed chances, the breakthrough came in the 45th minute. Nacho intercepted a pass and delivered a perfectly timed through ball to Dani Luna, who deftly dribbled past Racing's goalkeeper Jokin Ezkieta to slot the ball into the net.
The goal, often referred to as the 'psychological goal,' left Racing stunned as they headed into the halftime break. As the second half commenced, Racing intensified their efforts to equalize, but Cartagena's defense held firm, with goalkeeper Pablo Campos making crucial saves, including a one-on-one against Vicente.
Despite Racing's pressure, they struggled to convert their possession into clear-cut chances. Coach José Alberto López made strategic substitutions, introducing fresh legs to spark a comeback, but the visitors remained unable to penetrate Cartagena's resolute defense. The tension in the stadium escalated during the five minutes of added time, with Racing once again hitting the woodwork, this time with a close-range effort.
Ultimately, the match concluded with a 1-0 scoreline, a result that not only brings joy to Cartagena but also complicates Racing's aspirations for direct promotion to Primera División. This victory marks Romo's first win in charge of Cartagena after 16 games, a much-needed boost for a team that has endured a challenging season.
Looking ahead, Racing de Santander will face Real Oviedo on Sunday, May 11, 2025, while Cartagena will travel to La Romareda to take on Real Zaragoza on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Both teams will be eager to build on their respective performances as the season winds down.
