FC Andorra Stuns Racing de Santander 6-2 with Epic Halftime Comeback
Trailing 0-2 at the break, Andorra erupted for six second-half goals in their biggest professional win, virtually ensuring LaLiga Hypermotion survival.
Key Points
- FC Andorra trailed 0-2 at halftime but scored 6 second-half goals to win 6-2 against league leaders Racing de Santander.
- Key scorers: Cerdà, Lautaro de León, Vilà, Villahermosa, Jastin García, Le Normand.
- Match featured VAR decisions, Racing red card, and drew 2,732 fans in Encamp.
- Win boosts Andorra to 10th place, 12 points clear of relegation in LaLiga Hypermotion.
**FC Andorra crushed league leaders Racing de Santander 6-2 on Sunday, staging a dramatic comeback from a 0-2 halftime deficit to record their biggest win in professional football and virtually secure survival in LaLiga Hypermotion.**
The match at Nou Estadi de la FAF in Encamp attracted 2,732 fans, including more than 200 from Santander, amid mild Easter Sunday weather. Racing took the lead in the third minute when Andrés Martín beat Gael Alonso and crossed for Giorgi Guliashvili to score past Álvaro Owono. They doubled the advantage in the 16th minute—initially ruled offside but upheld by VAR—with Martín again assisting Guliashvili.
FC Andorra responded forcefully. Josep Cerdà reduced the deficit in the 33rd minute, volleying in Pablo Carrique's precise cross for his sixth goal of the season. Lautaro de León equalised in the 42nd from a rebound in the buildup involving Cerdà, with VAR overturning an offside flag. Jastin García missed a chance at the far post before the break.
Two halftime changes—Minsu Kim for Yeray Montoro and Efe Akman for Lautaro, who had discomfort—ignited the second half. Martí Vilà, acting captain in his 131st appearance, chipped the keeper in the 49th after a one-two with Cerdà. VAR awarded a penalty in the 61st when Mario García handled Alende's volley, which Dani Villahermosa converted to make it 4-2.
Racing's Jon Salinas was dismissed shortly after for fouling Minsu on a breakaway, upgraded from yellow to red on review by referee Sergiu Claudiu Muresan. Jastin added a fifth in the 76th from Minsu's cross, and Theo Le Normand headed in Carrique's delivery in the 89th. Nine minutes of stoppage time saw further chances, including efforts from Minsu and Álvaro Martín.
Cerdà starred with a goal and assist before his 74th-minute exit, joined by Villahermosa late on. Racing made five substitutions, including Iñigo Vicente and Castro off. Yellows went to Jastin, Castro, García, Sangalli, Puerta and Villalibre.
Now 10th with 46 points—12 clear of relegation and 11 from playoffs after one loss in eight—Andorra boast 50 goals, sixth-best in the division. Coach Carles Manso hailed the resilience: "We've shown perseverance and the ability to react to adversity." He praised Cerdà's interior role, Marc Domènech's midfield control and the team's maturity, adding the league might "feel a bit short" but survival comes first ahead of Cádiz. Captain Martí Vilà vowed to chase points in every game, while Domènech noted growing fan connection and offensive firepower.
The result matched a midweek Málaga draw for successive Encamp turnarounds and marked the first six-goal haul against a Segunda leader since 1979-80. Gerard Piqué visited the dressing room. An open training at Estadi Comunal followed, with players signing autographs for children from sports camps. Lautaro will miss Cádiz due to discomfort; Álex Calvo needs two-three weeks.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources:
- Altaveu•
Un Andorra a cor obert
- Diari d'Andorra•
Entrenament obert a l'Estadi Comunal per veure l'FC Andorra
- Diari d'Andorra•
El vestidor de l’Andorra no renuncia a res
- El Periòdic•
Carles Manso celebra la reacció de l’FC Andorra i reconeix que “és possible que la lliga se’ns quedi una mica curta”
- Altaveu•
Una golejada històrica per rematar la feina
- Diari d'Andorra•
Festival per esmicolar el líder
- El Periòdic•
Un FC Andorra imperial s’imposa davant un Racing de Santander que s’apaga amb el pas dels minuts (6-2)
- Diari d'Andorra•
L’FC Andorra tomba al líder en un partit boig (6-2)
- Altaveu•
Remuntada d'autor i 'set' tricolor davant el líder