FC Andorra Clinch Segunda División Survival with 1-0 Win Over Valladolid
Marc Cardona's first goal for FC Andorra secured a vital 1-0 home win against Real Valladolid, mathematically ensuring their place in Spain's Segunda División. The victory before 2,220 fans boosts them to 52 points with six games left.
Key Points
- Marc Cardona scored the winner in 62nd minute via heel assist from Dani Villahermosa.
- Andorra dominated after Jastin García's hamstring injury led to Cardona's substitution.
- Goalkeeper Owono's late saves preserved victory; Valladolid down to 10 men after Noah Ohio's knee injury.
- Win gives Andorra 52 points, third straight victory, 13 from last 15 available.
**FC Andorra secured mathematical survival in Spain's Segunda División with a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid at the Nou Estadi de la FAF in Encamp.**
Marc Cardona scored the decisive goal in the 62nd minute, lobbing the ball over goalkeeper Álvaro Aceves after a deft heel assist from Dani Villahermosa, who had received a pass from Marc Domènech. The Lleida-born forward, who had played just 29 minutes across three prior appearances for the club, marked his first goal for the Tricolors and earned them three vital points, lifting them to 52 points.
The match drew 2,220 spectators. FC Andorra, coached by Carles Manso, fielded the same starting XI that beat Cádiz the previous week and controlled much of the play. Early chances fell to Jastin García, who combined with Efe Akman, and Minsu Kim, whose volley from the edge of the box tested Aceves. Valladolid's clearest first-half threat came from a Michelin cross that Owono saved in two attempts.
Jastin García suffered a hamstring injury around the 54th-56th minute and was replaced by Cardona, a move that proved pivotal. Andorra dominated the second half, with Villahermosa missing a close-range shot early on. Valladolid coach Fran Escribá responded by introducing Biuk and Marcos André, but the visitors struggled to create sustained danger.
Defender Owono made key saves, including one in the 97th minute to preserve the lead. Noah Ohio suffered a serious knee injury late on and left on a stretcher, leaving Valladolid with 10 men after exhausting their substitutions. Andorra missed chances to seal it, as Manu Nieto was denied by Aceves and Cardona fired over an open goal.
Substitutions for Andorra included Manu Nieto for Minsu Kim (68th), and a triple change in the 81st: Petxa for Carrique, Théo Le Normand for Villahermosa, and Sergio Molina for Josep Cerdà.
Referee Manuel Jesús Orellana issued yellow cards to Andorra's Marc Domènech (35th) and Valladolid's Biuk (71st), Juanmi Latasa (75th), Juric (84th) and David Torres (90+6th).
The win marked Andorra's third straight victory and 13 points from their last 15 available, placing them eight points from the play-off spots with six games remaining. Manso cautioned against overambition, emphasising a match-by-match approach ahead of Leganés. Valladolid, fighting relegation, stayed 17th on 40 points pre-match.
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