Oviedo takes advantage in Almería with Nacho Vidal
A double from the full-back, the second in the 93rd minute, puts Paunovic’s team close to the final for promotion
Real Oviedo defeated UD Almería 2-1 on Sunday in the first leg of the LaLiga Hypermotion semifinal playoff held in Andalusia, a very favorable result for the Asturians ahead of the return leg on Wednesday at the Carlos Tartiere stadium.
Nacho Vidal, the right-back, was the protagonist and scorer for Veljko Paunovic’s team, with Oviedo in good form in the final stretch of the season since the arrival of the coach in April. The Alicante-born player had been scoring in the last two league matches, and in Almería, he showed his prowess as a goal-scoring forward.
Around the quarter-hour mark, Vidal put the ball into the net from a rebound off a shot from Haissem Hassan, capitalizing on the strong start by the visitors against an Almería side struggling to get out of their own half. However, Rubi’s team quickly equalized two minutes later through Arribas.
Almería then gained control on the field, with Leo Baptistao and Arribas testing the Oviedo goalkeeper Aaron Escandell. Oviedo tried to react before halftime, but in the second half, Almería took the initiative, especially after the introduction of Nico Melamed and Lázaro Vinícius who had two clear chances.
Melero also missed a clear opportunity for Almería, while Oviedo seemed content with the draw, which was favorable for the second leg. However, in stoppage time, a play down the left wing ended with a cross finding Vidal, who headed in a goal that brings Oviedo closer to the final playoff for promotion to LaLiga EA Sports.
MATCH FACTS.
–RESULT: UD Almería 1 – Real Oviedo 2. (1-1 at halftime).
–LINEUPS.
ALMERÍA: Fernando; Pozo (Kaiky, min.86), Édgar, Chumi, Centelles; Selvi, Lopy, Melero (Arnau, min.74); Arribas (Fettal, min.86), Baptistao (Melamed, min.60), Marezi (Lázaro, min.61).
OVIEDO: Escandell; Nacho Vidal, Costas, Dani Calvo, Rahim; Sibo, Colombatto (Pomares, min.89), Seoane (De la Hoz, min.67); Hassan (De la Fuente, min.67), Cazorla (Luengo, min.82), Alemao (Paraschiv, min.67).
–GOALS:
0 – 1, min.14, Vidal.
1 – 1, min.16, Arribas.
1 – 2, min.93, Vidal.
–REFEREE: Arcediano Monescillo (C. Manchego). Booked Centelles (min.25) and Lopy (min.45+1) for Almería. Alemao (min.52) and Colombatto (min.97) for Oviedo.
–STADIUM: UD Almería Stadium, 14,895 spectators.
