Sestao River secured a 2-0 victory against Atlético Astorga at Las Llanas, claiming their third win in four early-season fixtures to strengthen their push for promotion in the lower divisions of Spanish football. Managed by Héctor Urquía, the verdinegro squad controlled the tempo from the opening whistle on Saturday, overcoming a difficult, uneven pitch that limited clean chances for both sides.
Controlling the Pitch and Breaking the Deadlock
Playing on a bumpy surface at Las Llanas where ball circulation proved difficult, Sestao River maintained the greater share of possession and tactical initiative. The hosts broke through before the quarter-hour mark when Ander Laka finished cleanly from close range after Eneko Delgado curled a corner kick toward the back post. Both central midfielders emerged as standout figures during a largely cagey first half, which also featured a notable individual run by Andoni Arzak past three defenders before his shot missed the target.
Navigating Second-Half Pressure and Securing the Points
Atlético Astorga pushed forward after the break, forcing Sestao River into a series of defensive fouls around their own penalty area. Goalkeeper Iru preserved the clean sheet by diving to stop a dangerous header from Cerveró as the visitors gained territory. Sestao relieved the pressure in the 72nd minute when referee Pablo Ibáñez whistled a penalty after Palomeque challenged Gonzalo Zorrilla inside the box. Eneko Delgado stepped up and drilled his spot-kick home, beating goalkeeper Meykher—who guessed the correct side—to cap off a performance that included both a goal and an assist.
Late Incidents and Disciplinary Actions
The match grew increasingly tense in the closing stages. Atlético Astorga were reduced to ten men in the 80th minute when Andrés Calvo received a red card for an off-the-ball challenge on Zorrilla, who successfully troubled the visitors’ defense throughout the afternoon. Referee Ibáñez issued yellow cards to Sestao players Rojo, Zorrilla, and Legu, alongside bookings for Atlético Astorga’s Ribeiro and Palomeque in front of 1,380 spectators.
Next Steps in the Copa Federación
With domestic league momentum established, Sestao River quickly turns its focus to a decisive knockout fixture. The squad returns to Las Llanas on Wednesday to face Terrassa in the quarterfinals of the Copa Federación, playing for a coveted berth in the Copa del Rey.
