El Caudal Deportivo de Mieres captured its fifth Copa Federación autonómica title after defeating C.D. Lealtad 4-3 on penalties following a scoreless draw at the Miramar-Luis Gallego ground, according to match reports from regional outlets including FútbolAsturiano.es. Played under sunny skies before roughly 550 spectators, the tactical final concluded without goals, forcing the match into a tense penalty shootout that sealed the mierense side’s qualification for the national phase.
Tactical Stalemate and First-Half Action
The match unfolded with intense physical play and a heavy emphasis on midfield control. C.D. Lealtad initially seized the initiative and generated higher offensive pressure during the opening half. In the 33rd minute, Óscar Molina tested Caudal goalkeeper Álex González with a dangerous cross that required a sharp reaction to turn it behind for a corner kick. Eight minutes later, a set-piece situation again troubled the Caudal defense when González punched away a high ball, colliding with Marcos Blanco, though referee Jaime Ruiz Álvarez of the Gijón delegation dismissed appeals for an infraction.
Second-Half Adjustments and Late-Game Scant Openings
Caudal adjusted after halftime, gradually evening out the territorial battle. Lucas Suárez delivered a cross to Jairo Cárcaba in the 51st minute, but the forward missed connecting by mere centimeters. Julio Delgado tried his luck from the frontal in the 71st minute with a shot that sailed high, and Suárez tested opposing goalkeeper Juan Junquera from distance shortly before regulation time expired. Lealtad saw its attacking momentum fade after the interval, creating minimal danger in the second period as both teams traded inaccurate passes in a cautious contest.
Dramatic Penalty Shootout Decisions
With the score deadlocked at 0-0, the fixture headed to penalties. Lealtad shot first, with Carlos Figar denied by Álex González’s opening save. After Lucas Suárez missed his attempt against Junquera, Mateo Gavadián rattled the crossbar for Caudal with a shot that bounced along the goal line. Julio Delgado scored Caudal’s fourth, and Álex Solís kept Lealtad alive, leaving the final kick to Kike Fanjul. The midfielder struck a powerful shot past the goalkeeper to secure the 4-3 shootout victory and the regional trophy.
Trophy Presentation and National Phase Outlook
Following the final whistle, regional dignitaries presented the awards, including RFFPA President José Ramón Cuetos Lobo, Gozón Mayor Jorge Suárez, and Marino de Luanco President Luis Gallego. Borja Rodríguez collected the trophy -composed of recyclable materials for the first time- from the mayor of the Gozón council and lifted it with his teammates. Having secured their fifth regional championship, Caudal Deportivo will learn their opponent for the first elimination round of the national phase.
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