FC Andorra Edges CE Europa 3-2 in Copa Catalunya Quarters

FC Andorra advanced to the Copa Catalunya semifinals with a 3-2 quarterfinal victory over CE Europa at Barcelona's Nou Sardenya stadium on Thursday evening. Defender Diego Alende volleyed home a Dani Villahermosa cross in the 92nd minute, clinching the win and sparing a penalty shootout after the hosts twice erased two-goal leads.

Coach Carles Manso made sweeping changes following the recent Hypermotion draw against Cultural Leonesa, resting key players ahead of Sunday's league match at Mirandés while debuting loanee Yeray Cabanzón from Racing Santander. The visitors struck early: Cabanzón opened the scoring in the 9th minute, intercepting a risky pass from debutant keeper Lucas García near the box after pressuring Toni Caravaca, then slotting past him one-on-one. Josep Cerdà doubled the advantage in the 18th, latching onto Théo Le Normand's lofted pass behind the defense and firing low across goal to the far post.

Europa hit back swiftly. Àlex Pla reduced the deficit in the 26th, smashing a rebound from the edge of the area after central defender Bomba's weak clearance, which Nico Ratti spilled. Ratti then denied George Andrews from distance, but Aday Benítez introduced Òscar Vacas and Julián Mahicas early to shift momentum. Andorra created chances too, with Le Normand denied in a one-on-one and a late flurry cleared off the line by Guillem after efforts from Cerdà and Bomba.

Jordi Cano leveled at 2-2 in the 47th, pouncing on a pressured pass from substitute Álex Calvo on the box edge, faking his marker, and drilling past Ratti. Substitutions followed: Álvaro Martín, Minsu, and later Manu Nieto, Carrique, and Villahermosa for Andorra. Both sides traded opportunities—Minsu skewed wide, Uzkudun volleyed over, Vacas headed astray from a Pla cross, and Calvo was foiled by Lucas—before Alende's decisive volley.

Drama peaked in stoppage time. Álex Cano headed in from a corner in the 94th, but referee Gerard Brull Acerete ruled it out for a foul by Lucas on Ratti as the Andorran keeper cleared with fists. Attendance was 1,380. Yellow cards: Caravaca (51'), Pla (67'), Vacas (69'), Álex Cano (76') for Europa; Alende (73'), Carrique (76') for Andorra.

Andorra lined up with Ratti in goal; Petxa, Bomba, Alende, Imanol; Marc Domènech, Le Normand, Cabanzón; Olabarrieta, Cerdà, Uzkudun. Europa: Lucas; Guillem (Campeny 46'), Álex Cano, Joan Puig, Escoruela (Edo 69'); Meshak (Vacas 28'), Caravaca (Izan/Adnane 62'), Adam; Pla, Andrews (Mahicas 28'), Jordi Cano (Adnane 62').

Post-match, Manso praised the fourth-placed Primera RFEF side's intensity and direct style under Benítez, spotlighting the Cano brothers, Vacas, Adnane Ghailan, and Mahicas. "We value this competition highly and are very satisfied with the win," he said. "We knew the challenge—a tough, passionate atmosphere. The first 20-25 minutes were strong, then doubts crept in after their goal, but we regained control." He lauded Cabanzón's debut impact—"We trust him fully and expect the output he can deliver"—and saw the result as ideal preparation for Mirandés.

On Friday, the club officially presented its two winter signings in Encamp: centre-back Edgar González on loan from Almería until season's end, and Cabanzón, on loan from Racing Santander. The 22-year-old forward, who impressed on debut with a goal playing both wide and central midfield roles despite his 1.70m frame, called the start "immillorable." "I'm very happy to begin with a goal; I felt comfortable with the club's and dressing room's warm welcome," he said. "They've shown huge interest and trust, which is why I'm here. Their style suits me perfectly—I'll feel right at home anywhere on the pitch."

González, 28 and 1.92m tall from Sallent, son of former Espanyol striker Lluís González, arrives after a stint at Hajduk Split. Muscle issues will keep him out for Mirandés but he could feature the following week against Huesca in Encamp. "I was eager to return to Spanish football," he said. "The playing style was a key reason to join—I've played it for years and it fits my game." He described Andorra's approach as possession-based and protagonist, adding he could play as a pivot in midfield if needed.

Andorra, 14th in Hypermotion with 25 points from 21 games (six wins, seven draws, eight losses), seek a fourth Copa Catalunya title to match Europa's tally (1997, 1998, 2015), having won in 1994, 2023, and 2024. They lost last season's semifinals to Girona B. Semifinal foes: Barça Atlètic, Sabadell, Gimnàstic Tarragona.