In a thrilling encounter on Friday night, Castellón delivered a stunning performance against Almeria, securing a commanding 4-1 victory in the 36th round of the Segunda División. The match, held at the Estadio Municipal de Castalia, showcased Castellón's attacking prowess and marked a significant moment in their campaign as they aim for promotion.
The game kicked off with Almeria taking an early lead. In the 17th minute, Nico Melamed put his team ahead with a precise right-footed shot from the left side of the box, assisted by Gonzalo Melero. The visitors seemed to have the momentum, but Castellón quickly responded.
Just 13 minutes later, in the 30th minute, Sergio Moyita leveled the score for Castellón with a close-range effort, converting a cross from Daijiro Chirino. The home crowd erupted as the game was poised for an exciting finish.
As the second half unfolded, Castellón capitalized on their home advantage. Ousmane Camara scored in the 65th minute, heading the ball into the bottom left corner, making it 2-1. The assist came from Cala, who delivered a perfect cross into the box. This goal shifted the momentum firmly in favor of Castellón.
Israel Suero then added to the scoreline with two goals in quick succession. The first came in the 70th minute, a left-footed shot from the center of the box that found the bottom right corner. Just eleven minutes later, in the 81st minute, Suero struck again, sealing the match with a right-footed shot from the center of the box to make it 4-1. His performance was a standout, showcasing his ability to find the net when it mattered most.
Despite Almeria's attempts to fight back, including several missed opportunities from Luis Suárez and Sergio Arribas, they could not find the back of the net again. Arribas had a notable chance in the dying moments of the game, but his left-footed shot from outside the box went just wide.
The match was not without its disciplinary actions, as both teams faced a flurry of yellow cards. Almeria's Léo Baptistão and Nico Melamed were cautioned early on, followed by Aleksandar Radovanovic in the 87th minute. Castellón's Juan Escobar and Cala also received yellow cards, reflecting the intensity of the match.
In the lead-up to this crucial game, Almeria had announced a squad update. Brazilian player Lazaro Vinicius returned to the lineup after recovering from a viral illness, while Chumi, Rachad, and Baba remained sidelined due to rehabilitation. Young talent Pedro Fidel from the youth academy was included in the squad, highlighting Almeria's commitment to developing their young players.
Almeria's coach, Rubi, maintained a largely unchanged squad from previous matches, indicating confidence in his team despite the recent struggles. The team held a closed training session at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos before departing for Castellón, hoping to build on their early lead.
Castellón's victory not only boosts their confidence but also places them in a strong position as they aim for promotion in the Segunda División. With this win, they continue to push for a playoff spot, while Almeria will need to regroup and reassess their strategies moving forward.
As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to solidify their positions in the league. Castellón's attacking display against Almeria serves as a reminder of their potential, while Almeria must address their defensive vulnerabilities if they hope to remain competitive.
With the race for promotion heating up, fans can expect more thrilling encounters in the coming weeks. The Segunda División remains one of the most competitive leagues in European football, and every match counts as teams vie for a coveted spot in the top tier.
