3-1 | Good start, tough ending for Eibar | SD Eibar

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The Starting Eleven

SD Eibar appeared at Gran Canaria with Jonmi in goal. The coach, Beñat San José, placed Arambarri at right-back on paper due to the absences of Cubero and Álvaro, both injured, accompanied in defense by Marco Moreno, Arbilla, and Buta. Without Sergio Álvarez, who was ultimately unavailable due to muscle problems that arose during the week, Lander Olaetxea and Peru Nolaskoain took up positions in midfield. Corpas and Guruzeta played on the wings, and Magunazelaia operated behind Jon Bautista.

Another notable development, perhaps the most emotional, was the return of Mada to the squad after seven months of recovery from the knee injury he suffered in Cartagena.

A great start without reward and with punishment

Matching men in defense and pressing very high, Eibar quickly showed its cards, not shying away from the role of ball dominator in the early stages. Thus, with controlled possession, it found the first dangerous opportunities before the fifth minute.

Guruzeta shot directly at the goal from a set piece and forced Horkas to shine with a stretch that sent the ball to a corner. The danger continued in the subsequent play, as the opponent was unable to clear. Finally, it was Arbilla, with a volley, who struck at the goal, and Barcia saved it on the goal line.

An unleashed Eibar did not stop, frequently visiting the rival area, although it also suffered some advances from the local team, such as the one before the 20th minute, which hovered around the small area without finding a finish. But undoubtedly, the one that made Gran Canaria dream of a goal was in the 23rd minute, when Clemente crossed the ball into the area for Lukovic to shoot point-blank. There, Jonmi Magunagoitia appeared, immense, to block the shot and leave the opportunity at nothing.

With one more chance from Eibar, built by Corpas on the right and finished by Buta on the left, and a goal disallowed for Guruzeta due to a prior foul before the shot, it seemed the first half was coming to an end. However, a run by Ale García, finished by himself, raised the score to 1-0.

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With a new arrival from the first half's top scorer, the second act began. A period without much activity at the start, due to assistance being given to Barcia, who received a blow to the head and had to be attended to for more than five minutes.

Eibar maintained their good ball control, although without the depth needed to level the match. Past the hour mark, with fatigue and inaccuracies taking their toll, Lukovic finished off a cross from the right to make it 2-0 on the scoreboard.

The damage could have been greater if not for Jonmi, who prevented the third goal with a decisive intervention. By the 70th minute, San José made substitutions to bring fresh legs onto the field: Aleix, Martón, and Adu Ares came on for Guruzeta, Magunazelaia, and Nolaskoain. Shortly after, Alkain replaced Corpas, and the last to enter was Javi Martínez, in the coach's attempt to find the goal that would get them back into the game. This came after a great play by Alkain, finished by Martón. But with stoppage time already underway, Clemente sealed the deal with the third goal, and Eibar left the Gran Canaria empty-handed.