FC Andorra Fall 2-1 to Deportivo de La Coruña, Miss Segunda Record by One Point

FC Andorra suffered a 2-1 defeat to Deportivo de La Coruña at a near-capacity Riazor stadium on Sunday, falling one point short of the club's Segunda División record despite a commanding first half.

Josep Cerdà netted his 10th goal of the season in the 33rd minute, capitalizing on Martí Vilà's recovery and Dani Villahermosa's precise assist to leave former Andorra defender Miguel Loureiro on the ground. The visitors dominated possession, with Yeray Cabanzón testing Álvaro Fernández from distance early on and Efe Akman forcing a save. Goalkeeper Jesús Owono preserved the lead, stopping Luismi Cruz's free kick and denying Yeremay Hernández at close range before the break. A Villahermosa cross almost prompted an own goal from Ximo Navarro, which Fernández cleared.

Deportivo leveled matters in the 49th minute through Mario Soriano's spectacular long-range strike into the top corner. The hosts intensified their assault, Owono thwarting Quagliata while Yeremay struck the post in a contentious offside decision. Substitute Zakaria Eddahchouri clinched victory in the 81st minute, controlling Nsongo's flick from a throw-in and finishing past Owono as Diego Alende hesitated.

The result leaves Andorra on 58 points in 10th place after 40 games, equaling but not surpassing Eder Sarabia's 2022-23 tally of 59. Relegation was already secured, with playoffs unattainable despite an unbeaten away streak since mid-February and a prior 5-1 home win over Las Palmas. Deportivo, tied on 71 points with Almería in second, extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches, overturning Andorra's 1-0 December victory in Encamp via Lautaro de León's late strike.

Ahead of the match, coach Carles Manso, back from suspension, emphasized competing fully at the historic venue to honor the season's work. He described Deportivo as possession-dominant and offensively potent, citing Yeremay's 11 goals and nine assists alongside Eddahchouri's 10 strikes, yet insisted Andorra would retain its identity. A win would crown a strong campaign beyond the points milestone. Manso praised captain Nico Ratti's contract extension to 2029 as a morale booster and example in tough times.

Lautaro de León substituted in the 83rd minute following a five-game injury absence, playing near his Galician family roots. Olabarrieta returned from suspension; Bomba was a unused knee doubt. Absences included Édgar, Jastin, Théo Le Normand (long-term knee injury, with Manso voicing support), and Petxa, whose Deportivo loan included a €300,000 clause barring his involvement.

Referee Manuel Jesús Orellana Cid (Andalusian) issued yellow cards to Soriano and Stoichkov for Deportivo, and Gael Alonso, Owono, Martí Vilà, and Molina for Andorra before 29,680 spectators.

Match lineups

Deportivo de la Coruña (2): Álvaro Fernández; Ximo Navarro, Comas, Loureiro, Quagliata (Escudero 77'); Altimira (Eddahchouri 77'), Soriano, Villares (Riki 84'), Luismi Cruz (Carrillo 63'); Yeremay, Nsongo (Stoichkov 84'). Coach: Antonio Hidalgo.

FC Andorra (1): Owono; Carrique, Gael Alonso, Alende, Martí Vilà (Lautaro 83'); Marc Domènech, Akman, Villahermosa (Molina 83'); Yeray (Minsu 65'), Cerdà (Marc Cardona 83'), Manu Nieto (Álex Calvo 77'). Coach: Carles Manso.