The battle of Andalusia saw Córdoba CF and Granada CF clash at the Nuevo Arcángel stadium on March 2, 2025, with Córdoba hoping to build on their recent successful performances. The match kicked off at 14:00, and fans from both sides were eager for this pivotal encounter.
The excitement was palpable at the stadium as fans took their seats for the historic derby, with Córdoba coming off two consecutive victories. The home side entered the match aiming to continue this positive momentum against a struggling Granada team, which had not secured victory in three matches but had managed to stay unbeaten for the last month.
Córdoba CF began the match strong, demonstrating their intent right from the whistle. The home side’s Álex Sala quickly made his mark, scoring the opening goal just 7 minutes after kickoff with a powerful right-footed shot from the center of the area, assisted by Xavi Sintes following a corner kick. This goal set the tone for the match, pushing Córdoba forward and igniting their fans.
The first half continued to favor Córdoba as they dominated possession and chances. Álex Sala doubled the lead just before the interval, scoring his second goal of the match after receiving the ball from Adilson Mendes. Inspired by their earlier success and the support of their home crowd, there was confidence stirring within the players as they took the 2-0 advantage just 25 minutes after the opening goal.
Despite the lack of fortune, Granada CF threatened the Córdoba goal on several occasions. One notable attempt came from Martin Hongla, whose strong shot hit the crossbar, reminding everyone watching of Granada's offensive capabilities. The team struggled to capitalize on their scoring chances and appeared to falter under pressure.
Just before halftime, Córdoba's Adilson Mendes was forced to leave the pitch due to injury, prompting tactical changes as Cristian Carracedo substituted him. The loss of Mendes was concerning, as he had contributed significantly to the team's attacking play.
While the first half ended with Córdoba leading 2-0, the second half began with changes on both sides. Granada, desperate to come back, introduced Reinier to replace the injured Loïc Williams. The visitors knew they needed to push harder to crack Córdoba’s defense.
This match also marked the first-ever professional clash between the Zidane brothers, as Theo started for Córdoba CF and Luca guarded the goal for Granada. The narrative added extra intrigue, capturing the hearts of football fans across the nation.
Córdoba's coach, Iván Ania, realized the importance of maintaining their advantage and urged his team to keep up the pressure. “We’ll need to continue playing aggressively to see this match through,” he stated before the game. Success meant not only climbing the league table but also potentially dreaming of promotion.
Granada's coach, Fran Escribá, knew his team needed more than just momentum; they required efficiency and quality to avoid slipping down the standings. The match was proving to be challenging as the blanquiverdes maintained their firm grip. Escribá remarked, “We must get back to winning ways to stay relevant. The players are energized, and I believe they can turn the tide.”
Córdoba's form leading up to this match had positioned them tantalizingly close to climbing out of the relegation zone, needing just one more victory to potentially secure safety for the season.
Initially overlooked, Córdoba’s rise up the league table highlighted their tenacity and adaptability under pressure. If they could maintain their form against Granada, they might even close the gap between themselves and mid-table teams. With the crowd behind them, they appeared more than capable of accomplishing this goal.
Midway through the second half, Granada showed signs of life with improved attacking play, pushing forward at every opportunity. Lucas Boyé was central to their efforts, attempting to link up with his teammates to engineer scoring chances. Yet, minor lapses at the back continued to hamstring their efforts, keeping them scoreless against Córdoba's determined defence.
Córdoba CF’s defensive unit, particularly the goalkeeper Carlos Marín, stood strong against the relentless onslaught from Granada. His saves were pivotal as they sought to preserve their two-goal cushion late in the game, eventually earning praise from the crowd for his performance.
Despite numerous attempts, the final whistle blew, leaving the score at 2-0. Córdoba secured yet another victory, bringing their tally to three wins from four matches. Meanwhile, Granada CF was left to ponder their continued struggles as they faded down the table, anxiously staring at the growing gap to their rivals.
Post-match reactions revealed the varying emotions from both sides: Córdoba was jubilant, celebrating another valuable three points, as they looked forward to building on this success. Meanwhile, it was back to the drawing board for Escribá and Granada, who knew urgent adjustments were needed to revitalize their campaign.
With the win, Córdoba CF capped off the match, leaving fans optimistic and eager for the next encounter. They had effectively used the derby not only as points on the board, but as a statement to the league: they are here to stay.