Ampo Ordizia Clinches Playoff Spot With Gritty Comeback Over El Salvador
Ampo Ordizia secured their place among the league’s elite on Sunday, fighting back from a deficit to defeat El Salvador 19-16. The victory at Altamira ensures the side led by Suso Romero will enter the playoffs for the title, cementing their position among the top eight teams in the competition.
The match was a physical encounter defined by forward dominance and defensive discipline. For much of the afternoon, the two sides mirrored each other’s tactical approach, relying on powerful scrummaging and a suffocating defensive line that turned the opening stages into a grueling battle of attrition.
A Tactical Grind in Altamira
The first 15 minutes were characterized by a “duelo a palos”—a blunt-force struggle where neither side could uncover a rhythm in open play. The early scoring was dictated entirely by the boot, with Santiago Ortega and Damián Huber trading penalties following defensive infractions to leave the score tied at 3-3.
Ordizia briefly seized the momentum when their pack asserted dominance in a scrum, earning a penalty that Damián Huber converted from 45 meters out. However, the lead was short-lived. A penalty infraction by Manu Mora allowed the visitors from Valladolid to respond, leveling the match at 6-6.
As the intensity peaked, the match nearly spiraled out of control. A heated exchange between Fernando López and Santa Cruz forced referee Alfonso Mirat to issue yellow cards to both players. The resulting tension permeated the stadium, but it was Ordizia who eventually found a way to channel that energy into a winning effort.
The Final Ten Minutes
Trailing for a significant portion of the contest, Ampo Ordizia produced a clinical finish to the match. With only ten minutes remaining on the clock, the home side executed two perfectly timed touch-mauls. These set-piece plays provided the necessary breakthrough, allowing the team to overturn the deficit and seal the 19-16 win.
The victory was a testament to the static phase dominance of Suso Romero’s squad. Reports indicate that Ordizia controlled the scrums and general set-pieces throughout the game, leaving Inexo El Salvador struggling to maintain possession under pressure.
From Survival to Title Contention
This result marks a significant psychological shift for the club. Earlier in the season, the team had flirted with the bottom of the standings, including a narrow 29-23 loss to El Salvador in November 2025 at the Pepe Rojo stadium in Valladolid.
Entering this final match of the second phase, Ordizia was fighting for two different objectives: mathematical salvation from relegation and a spot in the playoffs. While some viewed the priority as survival, players like Erlantz Garmendia had made it clear that the target was always the title race.
By securing these four points, Ordizia bypasses the uncertainty of waiting for other results to certify their safety and instead moves directly into the fight for the league championship.
Key Match Details
- Final Score: Ampo Ordizia 19 – 16 El Salvador
- Venue: Altamira (Ordizia, Spain)
- Key Performers: Damián Huber (scoring), Suso Romero (Head Coach)
- Turning Point: Two successful touch-mauls in the final 10 minutes
- Outcome: Qualification for the top-eight league playoffs
Looking Ahead
The focus now shifts from the regular season to the high-stakes environment of the playoffs. Having overcome a period of irregularity and a tough loss to the same opponent last autumn, Ampo Ordizia enters the knockout stage with significant momentum and a reinforced belief in their forward-centric identity.
Fans and analysts will be watching to see if the tactical discipline shown at Altamira can be maintained against the other top seven teams in the league.
Next Checkpoint: The league will announce the official playoff bracket and scheduling in the coming days. Stay tuned to Diario Vasco and official league channels for match dates.
Do you feel Ampo Ordizia’s forward pack can carry them to a title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
