On May 5, 2025, CD Castellón secured a thrilling victory over Sporting de Gijón, winning 4-3 in a match filled with excitement and dramatic twists at Skyfi Castalia. The match was pivotal for Castellón as they inch closer to avoiding relegation, now sitting nine points clear of the drop zone with only twelve points left to play for.
The game began with both teams feeling each other out, and it was Castellón who struck first. Raúl Sánchez opened the scoring in the 17th minute, capitalizing on a well-placed cross from Mabil. Sánchez's clinical finish gave the home side an early lead, but the match would soon take a turn.
Sporting de Gijón, determined and resilient, equalized in the 31st minute when Juan Otero showcased his skill. He broke through the Castellón defense and, after an initial save from goalkeeper Crettaz, managed to poke the ball over the line, making it 1-1. Just as Sporting appeared to be gaining momentum, however, Castellón responded with another goal just before halftime. Raúl Sánchez struck again, scoring his second of the night in stoppage time, putting Castellón ahead 2-1 as the teams headed into the break.
The second half started with Castellón looking to extend their lead. They came close when Ousmane Camara's shot was denied by Sporting's keeper Rubén Yáñez. However, disaster struck for Castellón when a defensive error from goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz led to a penalty for Sporting. Nico Serrano was fouled in the box, and Otero stepped up to convert the penalty, leveling the match at 2-2 in the 53rd minute.
With the score tied, Castellón's coach Johan Plat made a tactical switch, bringing on Suero and shifting to a three-defender formation. This change paid immediate dividends. In the 68th minute, Suero delivered a beautiful assist to Alberto Jiménez, who finished with finesse to restore Castellón's lead at 3-2.
Just three minutes later, the match took another wild turn. A chaotic sequence in the box resulted in an own goal by Kevin Vázquez, pushing Castellón's lead to 4-2. The home crowd erupted in celebration, sensing a crucial victory was within reach.
Yet Sporting was not done yet. In the dying moments of the match, Otero scored his third goal, completing his hat-trick in the 91st minute and narrowing the gap to 4-3. The tension in the stadium was palpable as Sporting pushed for an equalizer, but Castellón held firm, managing to secure the three points.
This match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive frailties. As the final whistle blew, Castellón celebrated a vital win that brings them closer to securing their place in the Segunda División for another season.
With this victory, Castellón now sits sixteenth in the league with 49 points, nine points above the relegation zone with just four matches remaining in the season. The next challenge for the albinegros will be against Mirandés on Saturday, May 10, at 16:15 hours, where they will aim to continue their push for safety.
In the post-match press conference, coach Johan Plat reflected on the match, stating, "It was a crazy game, a good start, we scored, then we made a mistake, and after that, the injury to Moyita. We didn’t lose our heads, we reacted with the 2-1 just before halftime. After the break, we scored two goals, played fantastically, and in the final stretch, we made it complicated for ourselves. In any case, we deserved the result, and it's a big step towards our goal of remaining in the league."
Raúl Sánchez, who was instrumental with two goals, expressed his joy after the match, emphasizing the importance of the victory for the team. The players celebrated in the locker room, knowing they had taken a significant leap towards their goal of staying in the division.
As the season nears its conclusion, every match counts, and with their fighting spirit on display, Castellón will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures.
