A goal from Juan Carlos Real in the 93rd let SD Huesca gift our fans with a triumph in the last home game of the season. Our no.22, assisted by Ferreiro, sprung to Huesca’s rescue in a game where we seemed to be meant to settle for a point. However, beneath the result, the encounter was marked by Mikel Rico’s farewell, one of the greatest players in the Altoaragoneses history. The captain was afforded a standing ovation at the end of his final El Alcoraz appearance, as he has dug deep every time he has pulled the shirt on – with more than 183 appearances. His farewell put an end to a clash opened by the first-half goals of Seoane and Ratiu, and levelled after the break by a team in need trying to fight against relegation. Finally, Juan Carlos’s late goal would condemn Real Sociedad B to a 3-2 defeat and, therefore, to relegation.
The team got off to a good start, threatening the rival’s goal from the beginning. The first opportunity fell to Gaich, who got a place in the starting line-up this game. The Azulgranas found the net after 17 minutes, following a lofted pass from Mosquera to Gaich, who assisted Seoane, coming from the second line. The midfielder fired a rocket, thumping it into the top left corner and scoring his fourteenth goal this season. Xabi Alonso’s side reacted immediately, creating up to four dangerous chances. Among them, Karrikaburu saw his shot hit the bar, and Andrés Fernández pulled off a couple of brilliant saves. However, Huesca were able to recover and take back control. In one of the last build-ups before the interval, Andrei Ratiu and Joaquín played cleverly to let the Romanian drill a low shot past Zubiaurre, opening his tally this season.
In the second half, Real Sociedad piled on the pressure, taking into account what was at stake. Cutting the deficit early in the second half proved to be a springboard, as the visitors attempted to claw their way back into the fixture. Ferreiro replaced Gaich then and Xisco made a double substitution soon after, by introducing Lago Junior – who returned from injury – and Pablo Martínez in the midfield. Andrés Fernández denied the visitors again and again. Following the cooling break, they pushed hard for a leveller, finding the prize after 78 minutes. VAR conceded the goal, considering what appeared to be a debatable onside: 2-2. But SD Huesca wanted to end the last home game of the season with a victory. The rival, in serious need of a vital three points, pushed on until the stoppage time. Juan Carlos took advantage from that, finally making it 3-2.
