Mirandés secured a resounding 4-0 victory against Deportivo de La Coruña at the Estadio ABANCA-Riazor on December 22, 2024, confirming their strong position as they finished the first half of the LaLiga Hypermotion season.
The match began with both teams vying for dominance, but it soon turned for the worse for Deportivo when they conceded a penalty just before halftime. Midfielder Mario Soriano was penalized for handling the ball inside the box, setting the stage for Urko Izeta to expertly convert the spot-kick in the 36th minute. "The penalty disrupted Deportivo's rhythm, and they never regained their form," reflected AS Diario.
Five minutes later, Joel Roca doubled the lead for Mirandés with a stunning left-footed volley from the edge of the box. With just moments until the break, the score had become detrimental for the home side, leaving them reeling at 0-2 as they trudged off the pitch.
After halftime, Mirandés displayed no signs of slowing down. The visitors seized control of the match, with Izeta adding two more goals to his tally early on. First, he finished confidently following a perfectly placed pass by Reina, making the score 3-0 just ten minutes after the half. A little later, Izeta completed his hat-trick with another excellent volley, showcasing his impressive form and ensuring his team's dominance was undeniable.
Diego Villares of Deportivo saw red late on, reflecting the frustrations of his side on the night. Despite the home fans' encouragement, Deportivo struggled to keep up with the attacking prowess of Mirandés, leading to the final score of 4-0.
This performance marked Izeta's first hat-trick since returning to Mirandés, highlighting his importance to the team's success this season. "Izeta displayed remarkable skill, scoring a hat-trick after years without one for our club," noted the Mirandés reporter.
The game also served as a stark reminder for the Deportivo players of their inconsistency this season. After having shown potential with victories, their latest outing was marked by defensive errors and missed opportunities. They’re left with much to ponder as they enter the break, reflecting on what went wrong.
With 23,946 spectators witnessing the match, it became clear how high the stakes were as both teams aimed to solidify their places moving forward. Mirandés ended the match at the second position on the table, setting them up for what could be a historic season, whereas Deportivo faced challenges needing drastic improvements to avoid falling behind.
Overall, Mirandés’ decisive victory not only boosts their morale as they near the halfway point of the season, but it also places them among the top contenders of LaLiga Hypermotion, proving their potential as they progress through the season.
