FC Andorra Edges Deportivo de La Coruña 1-0 with Late Lautaro Goal

**FC Andorra secured a 1-0 win over second-placed Deportivo de La Coruña, with Lautaro de León scoring the decider**

FC Andorra ended the year on a high with a 1-0 victory against second-placed Deportivo de La Coruña at Nou Estadi de la FAF in Encamp on Saturday. Lautaro de León scored the decisive goal in the 77th minute—his fourth of the season—after a sequence involving Carrique, Minsu and Álvaro Martín. The win lifted the Tricolors to provisional 11th place on 24 points, four clear of relegation.

Around 2,620 spectators attended despite chilly conditions. Andorra stuck with the lineup that beat Valladolid, starting strongly as Jastin crossed for Manu Nieto. Deportivo threatened when Zakaria Eddahchouri forced a save from Yaakobishvili and missed an open goal after Luismi Cruz struck the bar on the rebound from the keeper's error. Andorra dominated later, though Lautaro's header before halftime was ruled out for a foul, prompting Gerard Piqué to challenge referee Eder Mallo. A VAR-reviewed penalty claim for Álvaro Martín on José Ángel was dismissed.

Minsu replaced Nieto at the break, helping Andorra control proceedings. Jastin headed wide, Lautaro tested Parreño repeatedly, and Villahermosa missed a follow-up. Deportivo responded via Stoichkov and a Loureiro header that grazed the bar, but late substitutes Álex Calvo, Théo Le Normand, Marc Domènech and Uzkudun held firm through five added minutes. Yellow cards went to Andorra's Uzkudun (32'), Akman (59') and Gael Alonso (80'), and Deportivo's José Ángel (33'), Gragera (64'), Stoichkov (90+1') and Soriano (90+4'). Absentees for Andorra included Jesús Owono (AFCON), Imanol García and Martín Merquelanz.

Coach Carles Manso hailed the team's improved physical edge and mentality after ending a 10-game winless run. "This victory comforts and reanimates us... We're not satisfied—we want to keep going," he said, praising Lautaro and deeming the disallowed header legal. Ahead of kickoff, director general Jaume Nogués confirmed Manso's continuity through season's end, stressing full backing for the staff. "It's no longer interim. We're happy with our in-house team, and the plan is to continue this way," Nogués stated Saturday. He described 2025 as highly positive despite recent struggles, with the squad now in strong shape and training exceptionally under Piqué's active involvement. Nogués viewed the match as a true gauge of Andorra's mid-table potential.

The day began with FC Andorra's Genuine team hosting a Mixed Ability quadrangular at Encamp's Complex Esportiu i Sociocultural, uniting players with and without disabilities from Madriu, Rangers, Encamp, UE Santa Coloma, Extremenya, ENFAF women, Andorra Legends and Pas de la Casa. Mixed squads featured coaches including Genís Besolí, Carles Riba and Evarist Rogel, plus local referees. Highlights included Jordi Caetano's fine goal amid celebrations and camaraderie. Genuine coach Montse Sánchez said participants "enjoy themselves immensely and feel at home," crediting mixed teams for building confidence through effort. "They must believe in themselves—they're capable if they work hard," she added. Nogués joined on the pitch, praising the FAF collaboration and Genuine's progress: "They're happy, and we're even happier." Minister Trini Marín and shareholder Higini Cierco attended; the event ended with Genuine players presented to fans pre-match.

In rugby, VPC Andorra claimed top spot in División de Honor B Group B via a 14-11 home win over unbeaten CAU Valencia on Sunday. Martí Casals (or Adrià Casals per some accounts) scored first in the ninth-round clash, but Tomás Luna equalized for CAU at 5-5 by halftime. Mateo Macchi's three second-half penalties edged VPC ahead, surviving Joan Terol's response to win on bonus points despite both teams' eight victories from 10. Coach Dani Raya's side faces RC L'Hospitalet on January 10.