In a thrilling semifinal match at the Copa de España de fútbol sala, Servigroup Peñíscola stunned FC Barcelona with a remarkable 8-2 victory, earning their spot in the final. The match, held on March 22, 2025, showcased the talents of Peñíscola, who are leading the Primera División this season, and demonstrated their capability as serious contenders in the tournament.
Barcelona opened the scoring early in the match when Antonio Pérez found the back of the net just 2 minutes and 8 seconds in. However, Peñíscola quickly responded; Juanqui netted two stunning goals within just a minute, turning the tide in favor of the Valencian side.
The first equalizer came at the 6-minute mark, when Juanqui, tightly guarded by Adolfo, skillfully lifted the ball over the defender and volleyed it past goalkeeper Dídac. Barely a minute later, he struck again, this time assisted by Pablo Muñoz, showcasing his ability to break free from pressure. Peñíscola didn't stop there; Luciano Gauna added the third goal in the 16th minute, extending the lead to 3-1.
Peñíscola's goalkeeper, Gus, who had a memorable performance throughout the match, was on hand to deny several attempts from Barca's key players like Dyego and Sergio Lozano. Gus, at 45 years old, was later declared the MVP of the match for his exceptional saves and leadership on the pitch.
As the match progressed into the second half, Peñíscola seized control, quickly scoring a fourth goal just 22 seconds after the break through Pablo Muñoz, followed by Diego Sancho in the 24th minute and Víctor Pérez in the 27th minute, making it 6-1.
With Barcelona in despair, Matheus managed to score for the Catalan side at the 32-minute mark, but it was far too late to reverse the damage. Lucas Rocha would go on to net two more goals for Peñíscola at the 34th and 39th minutes, rounding off the victory at an extraordinary 8-2.
"Peñíscola has been phenomenal; they dominated us in every aspect of the game," reflected Barcelona captain Sergio Lozano post-match. The loss sent waves through the Catalan camp, especially considering the injury to Catela, who went down with a right knee issue during the game. Initial reports suggest he might have sustained a serious injury, which could impact his involvement for the remainder of the season.
This match was especially significant for Peñíscola, marking their first appearance in Copa de España final. They await the winner of the other semifinal, which saw Palma Futsal reach the final by triumphing 3-1 in a penalty shootout against Movistar Inter after a 3-3 draw at the end of regulation.
Peñíscola's first goal in the final is set for March 23, 2025, where they will have the chance to claim their first major national title.
As the dust settles on this shocking semifinal, many will analyze what went wrong for Barcelona. Adolfo vehemently criticized the team's performance, stating, "It was an unacceptable day for us. We need to hold ourselves accountable; this is not the standard we uphold as a club." His sentiments echoed throughout the locker room as players and coaching staff alike reflected on the steep fall from their usual flying heights.
On the other hand, Peñíscola's remarkable run in this Copa de España has solidified their status not only as a team to watch but as serious contenders for the championship title. Their game strategy and adaptation to the emergent challenges throughout the match underscore their readiness to claim their place in the storied annals of the sport.
In the end, this semifinal served as a reminder of the unpredictability of sports, where underdogs can triumph and legends can stumble.
Peñíscola now looks forward to a historic clash against Palma Futsal, with eyes set firmly on the trophy and the prestige that comes with it.
