In a thrilling encounter at La Romareda, Real Zaragoza clawed their way back to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw against S.D. Eibar in LaLiga Hypermotion on April 12, 2025. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams showcasing their fighting spirit.
The opening half saw Eibar take a commanding lead, thanks to Jon Bautista, who struck twice in quick succession. His first goal came in the 30th minute after a critical error from Zaragoza's goalkeeper Gaëtan Poussin, who left the ball at Bautista's feet. Bautista made no mistake, slotting it home to give Eibar a 1-0 lead. Just three minutes later, he doubled the advantage, finishing off a well-placed cross from Cristian Gutiérrez.
As the teams headed into halftime, Zaragoza found themselves in a precarious position, trailing 0-2. The home side struggled to create clear chances, and the atmosphere in La Romareda turned tense as fans hoped for a turnaround in the second half.
Real Zaragoza made significant changes at halftime, introducing Pau Sans, Liso, and Dani Tasende to inject fresh energy into the squad. The adjustments paid off when Jair Amador scored in the 72nd minute, pulling Zaragoza back into contention with a close-range effort from a free-kick assist by Francho Serrano.
With the score at 1-2, the intensity ramped up as Zaragoza pushed for an equalizer. The home crowd rallied behind their team, creating an electric atmosphere. Their efforts were rewarded in stoppage time when Poussin, who had earlier struggled, found redemption by scoring a powerful header from a corner taken by Zaragoza. This goal not only leveled the match at 2-2 but also sent the fans into a frenzy.
Throughout the match, Eibar's defense held firm, with players like Anaitz Arbilla and Sergio Cubero working tirelessly to thwart Zaragoza's advances. However, they were unable to withstand the late surge from the home side.
The match featured several notable moments, including a controversial penalty shout from Zaragoza when Pau Sans was brought down in the area, but the referee waved play on. Additionally, both teams faced disciplinary action, with yellow cards issued to players like Tasende and Arriaga from Zaragoza, and Peru Nolaskoain from Eibar.
After the match, Zaragoza's coach Gabi Fernández expressed pride in his team's resilience, stating, "We showed great character to come back from two goals down. The spirit of Zaragoza is strong, and we will keep fighting to stay in this league." Meanwhile, Eibar's coach Beñat San José lamented the missed opportunities, highlighting the need for his team to maintain focus in crucial moments.
The draw leaves Zaragoza still hovering just above the relegation zone, now with 41 points, while Eibar remains in the mid-table with 50 points, looking to solidify their position as the season progresses.
Next up, Zaragoza will face Levante and Huesca in their bid to secure safety, while Eibar will look to bounce back against Málaga and Tenerife. The battle for survival in LaLiga Hypermotion intensifies as every point becomes invaluable.
