Spanish Soccer Scandal: Real Zaragoza Keeper Esteban Andrada Punches Opponent in La Liga 2 Derby

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief of Archysport

HUESCA, Spain — The final seconds of Sunday’s La Liga 2 derby between SD Huesca and Real Zaragoza descended into chaos when veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada lost control and punched an opponent in the face, sparking a mass brawl that left two additional players sent off and both clubs condemning the “unworthy” scenes.

What Happened: A Timeline of the Eruption

The match, played at Estadio El Alcoraz in front of 6,200 fans, was already tense. Both teams entered the 98th minute locked in a relegation battle, with Huesca clinging to a 1-0 lead thanks to a 65th-minute penalty from midfielder Óscar Sielva. The referee, Dámaso Arcediano Monescillo, had just shown Andrada a second yellow card for dissent after the 35-year-old goalkeeper protested a VAR review decision.

Here’s how the confrontation unfolded, according to official match reports and verified video evidence:

• 97:45: Andrada, on loan from Mexican club CF Monterrey, verbally confronts referee Monescillo as the official walks toward the VAR monitor.
• 97:50: Huesca captain Jorge Pulido, 35, approaches Andrada to intervene. Words are exchanged.
• 97:55: Andrada shoves Pulido to the ground. Referee Monescillo immediately issues a second yellow card, resulting in a red card and Andrada’s ejection.
• 98:02: Enraged, Andrada charges at Pulido and delivers a right-handed punch to his face, knocking the defender to the turf. Pulido requires on-field treatment for a visible black eye.
• 98:10–99:30: A full-scale melee erupts. Players from both teams swarm the scene. Police officers stationed near the tunnel intervene to separate the squads. The referee eventually shows red cards to Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jiménez and Zaragoza defender Dani Tasende for their roles in the altercation.

With both teams having exhausted their substitutions, field players were forced into goal for the final seconds of the match. The game concluded with Huesca’s 1-0 victory intact.

The Fallout: Suspensions, Statements and Standings Impact

Real Zaragoza released an official statement within hours of the incident, calling the events “scenes that are not worthy of this sport and that should never have happened.” The club did not announce disciplinary action against Andrada but confirmed they are cooperating with league authorities.

La Liga’s disciplinary committee is expected to review the incident on Tuesday. Based on league precedent, Andrada faces a suspension of at least four matches, with potential for an extended ban given the severity of the assault. Jiménez and Tasende, who received straight red cards for their involvement in the brawl, are likely to miss one to three matches each.

The on-field chaos overshadowed the match’s critical standings implications. Huesca’s victory lifted them to 17th place in the 22-team La Liga 2 table, one point above the relegation zone. Zaragoza, now in 18th, face a must-win situation in their next fixture against Albacete on May 3.

Who Is Esteban Andrada?

Andrada, a 35-year-old Argentine, is no stranger to high-stakes football. He earned four caps for the Argentina national team between 2019 and 2021, including appearances in the 2021 Copa América. At club level, he played a key role in Monterrey’s run to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, where they lost 2-1 to Borussia Dortmund in Tokyo.

This season, Andrada joined Zaragoza on loan from Monterrey, seeking regular playing time after falling behind younger keepers in Mexico. His temper has been a recurring issue; he received three red cards in his last two full seasons with Boca Juniors and Monterrey combined.

League and Fan Reactions

La Liga president Javier Tebas addressed the incident in a brief statement to Spanish media: “Violence has no place in football. The disciplinary committee will act swiftly, and decisively.” The league has faced criticism in recent years for inconsistent punishment of on-field altercations, and this incident is likely to reignite debates about player conduct standards.

Fan reactions on social media were divided. Some Zaragoza supporters defended Andrada, citing the “heat of the moment” in a relegation six-pointer. Others, including Pulido’s teammates, condemned the punch as “cowardly” and “unforgivable.” Huesca midfielder Sielva, whose penalty goal proved decisive, told reporters: “We came here to play football, not to see a boxing match.”

What’s Next for the Key Figures

The immediate focus shifts to disciplinary hearings and the looming relegation battle:

• Andrada: Awaits La Liga’s verdict, likely to miss Zaragoza’s next 4–6 matches. His future at the club, and potentially in Europe, is in doubt.
• Pulido: Underwent medical evaluation Monday morning. Huesca have not confirmed whether he will be available for their May 3 match against Leganés.
• Zaragoza: Travel to Albacete for a critical clash. With their starting goalkeeper suspended and a defender (Tasende) also facing a ban, manager Juan Carlos Carcedo may need to reshuffle his lineup.
• Huesca: Host Leganés in a match that could secure their safety. Jiménez’s suspension leaves them without their first-choice goalkeeper.

Key Takeaways

• The incident occurred in the 98th minute of a La Liga 2 derby, with both teams fighting to avoid relegation.
• Andrada received a second yellow card for dissent before punching Pulido, who required medical attention.
• Two additional red cards were shown (Jiménez and Tasende) as the brawl escalated.
• Huesca’s 1-0 win moved them out of the relegation zone; Zaragoza now sit 18th.
• Andrada faces a likely 4–6 match suspension, pending La Liga’s disciplinary hearing.
• The incident has reignited debates about player conduct and league disciplinary consistency.

How to Follow the Story

For official updates, follow these verified sources:

• La Liga Official Website (disciplinary announcements)
• Real Zaragoza Official Site (team statements)
• SD Huesca Official Site (injury updates)

The next chapter in this saga will unfold on Tuesday, when La Liga’s disciplinary committee convenes to determine the punishments. For Zaragoza and Huesca, the stakes couldn’t be higher — both on and off the pitch.

What do you think of Andrada’s actions? Should the league impose a longer suspension for violent conduct? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter @archysport.