1-0 | Ipurua enjoys to the rhythm of Eibar

The eleven

Ipurua rose again as an auditorium just seven days after the last victory of the Armeros and, for the occasion, Beñat San José slightly adjusted the score that had successfully played against UD Almería. Eibar faced Sporting with Jonmi Magunagoitia as the tempo guardian under the posts; Cubero, Marco Moreno, Peru Nolaskoain, and Arbilla formed the string line in defense. In the engine room, Sergio Álvarez and Lander Olaetxea repeated as metronomes, setting the rhythm and balance of the performance. Ahead, Corpas, Guruzeta, and Mada took on the more creative roles, adding nuances and harmony in the attacking midfield, while Javi Martón once again positioned himself as the final note, the reference responsible for emphasizing each attack.

Tuned in the first act

The first beat of the match was set by Sporting with a very off-target shot by Queipo in the 4th minute, a note out of tune that did not alter the script proposed by the Armeros. With determination, they responded with a much more refined action: a run by Guruzeta that brought the Ipurua stands to their feet and resulted in two consecutive corner kicks, the first signs that the Armeros' orchestra was ready to take the initiative.

In the 9th minute, a steal by Anaitz in the opposing half, a clear example of the plan designed by San José, reactivated the home team. The play ended in a series of shots with no space. A well-orchestrated collective execution, but it lacked the final chord to break the silence of the scoreboard.

The biggest scare came from a set piece. Dubasín attacked the near post, the ball hit the post, and ended up in Jonmi's hands, who kept the match in balance. Shortly after, a long ball forced a decisive intervention by Arbilla, alert to correct and deflect the back pass when danger was shaping up to make it 0-1.

The match progressed through alternating phases, with both teams finding moments to impose their rhythm, although Eibar showed solidity in their structure and creativity with the ball, penalized only by a lack of precision in the final pass. Before halftime, in the 40th minute, came the most brilliant play of the first half: more than fifteen passes, technical details, and a finish by Guruzeta that forced Yáñez to intervene, closing a well-executed first act by the Armeros, though still without reward.

The score demanded more and Mada composed

The resumption brought the change of tone that Ipurua was asking for. In the 48th minute, the armera team finally found the chord they had been rehearsing. Corpas launched a deep pass, Yáñez failed to catch it, and Martón, persistent like a good percussionist, seized the rebound to pass it back. There Mada appeared, from the attacking midfield, to fine-tune the shot and score the 1-0 that unleashed the climax in the stands.

The goal gave continuity and confidence to an Eibar that continued interpreting their piece with intent. Peru Nolaskoain came close to the second goal by heading a cross from the right that went just wide, and shortly after, Corpas drew a diagonal inside the area and crossed the shot, forcing Yáñez to deflect it to a corner in the 55th minute.

At that point, both coaches adjusted their strategies. San José brought on Bautista to replace a Martón who was already exhausted after tireless work. Sporting then tried to find their own rhythm, taking advantage of two armera mistakes, but the lack of precision in the final meters gave Eibar an extra life. They managed to maintain the rhythm and hold onto the lead, partly thanks to the saving interventions of Jonmi, which secured three points. Additionally, the match ended with Eibar having one more player due to Otero's VAR expulsion in the final stretch.

As the grand finale to the celebration, the armera goalkeeper, Jonmi Magunagoitia, left for dessert the announcement of his renewal until 2027.

What's coming

SD Eibar will travel to Zaragoza in the next matchday to face Real Zaragoza at the Ibercaja Stadium on Saturday, February 7th at 6:30 PM.