FC Andorra Slumps to Fifth Straight Loss in 1-3 Defeat to Sporting Gijón

FC Andorra suffered a fifth straight league defeat, losing 1-3 at home to Sporting de Gijón in Encamp on Saturday. The result leaves the Tricolors in the relegation zone after Córdoba's earlier win, deepening their early-season slump under coach Carles Manso.

Played before 2,831 fans at the Nou Estadi de la FAF under sunny conditions, the match began with Andorra pushing forward. Debutant Andoni López nearly scored from a third-minute corner, heading over from close range, while new signing Julian Rijkhoff tested keeper Rubén Yáñez from distance. But Sporting struck first in the sixth minute: Álex Corredera's corner found Aimar Duñabeitia, who outjumped captain Molina to head past returning goalkeeper Jesús Owono.

Andorra controlled possession without creating clear chances, reaching halftime trailing. Manso acted immediately after the break, substituting Hugo López with Jordi Cano. The move paid off in the 48th minute as Cano pounced on a poor clearance from Pablo Vázquez, rounding Yáñez to equalize and spark the crowd. Cano and substitute Nacho Quintana soon tested the visitors, while Andoni López headed wide from a corner.

Sporting regained control, however. Guille Rosas forced a fine save from Owono, and in the next attack, Juan Otero's run set up Antonio Casas for a composed finish in the 65th minute, making it 1-2 after shrugging off a marker.

Manso introduced Diego Díaz, Moró Sidibé, and Randy Schneider as Andorra chased an equalizer. Díaz created chances, including one for Quintana, but Sporting defended stoutly amid time-wasting tactics. Five added minutes stretched to over six, with Owono joining the attack. In the final play, a counter saw Nikita Iosifov tap into an empty net for 1-3 in the 96th minute.

Referee Pablo Morales issued yellow cards to Molina, Guille Rosas, Iosifov, and Duñabeitia. Pre-match honors went to Naiara Liñán for her Mediterranean Games bronze.

FC Andorra: Owono; Carrique, Bomba, Alende (Díaz 75), Andoni López; Molina, Domènech, Akman (Schneider 83); H. López (Cano 46), Rijkhoff (Quintana 53), Lautaro (Sidibé 75). Coach: Manso.

Sporting de Gijón: Yáñez; G. Rosas, Duñabeitia, P. Vázquez, Cuenca (D. Sánchez 82); Corredera, M. Ribas (Loum 77), P. García (Casas 58), Iosifov; Gelabert (Bruno 58), Otero (Sarco 77). Coach: Nicolás Larcamón.

Goals: Duñabeitia 6, Cano 48, Casas 65, Iosifov 90+6.