FC Andorra Secures First 2026 Win with 2-1 Victory at Mirandés

**FC Andorra secures first 2026 win with 2-1 victory at Mirandés, rising to 13th in LaLiga Hypermotion**

FC Andorra picked up its first points of 2026, defeating bottom-of-the-table Mirandés 2-1 away at Estadi Municipal d'Anduva in Miranda de Ebro. The result ended a two-match winless streak—a 2-1 loss at Ceuta and 1-1 draw with Cultural Leonesa—lifting the Tricolors to 13th place with 28 points from 22 games. Five points clear of relegation and seven from the play-offs, they also hold the head-to-head edge over Mirandés.

The visitors dominated early, taking the lead in the 10th minute when debutant Yeray Cabanzón linked up on the right and delivered for Dani Villahermosa to volley home his fifth goal of the season. Andorra maintained control despite pressure, missing opportunities including Lauti de León's one-on-one in the 31st minute—saved by Nikic—and Martí Vilà's header from Álvaro Martín's cross. Áron Yaakobishvili preserved the advantage with a diving stop on Juan Gutiérrez's near-post header from Hugo Novoa's delivery in the 36th minute.

Sergio Molina extended the lead three minutes into the second half, curling in a free kick—his first goal this term—over a moving wall. Andorra then retreated, ceding possession to Mirandés, who pulled one back in the 74th minute through Javi Hernández's composed chip over Yaakobishvili amid a tense finish in front of 3,048 spectators.

Yaakobishvili blocked Gutiérrez from close range in the 85th minute. Two minutes later, VAR checked a possible penalty on Rafa Bauzà after contact from Martín, but referee Alejandro Ojaos Valera ruled out the claim due to Bauzà's earlier elbow on Martín. Spanish FA audio confirmed the prior attacking foul.

Coach Carles Manso described the "golden" points as a strong start to the second half of the season but urged self-reflection. After the second goal, he said, the team stopped pressing high, lost its identity and allowed Mirandés to dominate—contrasting with the previous week's second-half control against Cultural Leonesa despite that loss. "A big, competitive team is built in moments like these, suffering and holding firm at the end," he added, calling for work to avoid such lapses and fully enjoy victories. He lauded Yeray's composure in his second appearance, Molina's leadership despite his fifth yellow—ruling him out of Sunday's home clash with relegation-zone Osca—and Imanol's effective halftime replacement for the precautionarily substituted Vilà, whose status remains unclear.

Molina called the win "vital" to open the return leg but expressed frustration at missing the Osca game. "I always want to play and help the team," he said. Carrique and Minsu are also one booking from suspension. Standouts included Yaakobishvili's saves, Villahermosa—now tied with Minsu as top scorer and assist provider—and Yeray's immediate impact with a goal and assist in two games. Gerard Piqué and director Jaume Nogués observed from the press box.

Osca (23 points, winless in four) visit Nou Estadi de la FAF on Sunday at 2pm—a key chance to extend the buffer. The club has organized a €60 fan bus (ticket included) for the February 1 away match at Castellón's Nou Castàlia, departing Sunday morning and returning post-game. Reservations via entrades@fcandorra.com or 833 720, with payment by January 28 at club offices or Sunday's matchday ticket offices; minimum places required.

In Copa Catalunya, Andorra face Barça Atlètic away at Estadi Johan Cruyff on February 11 in a single-leg semifinal, time TBC. The Tuesday draw matched them against the Segunda RFEF Group 3 side, managed by Juliano Belletti; Sabadell play Nàstic. Andorra advanced via a 3-2 quarterfinal at Europa, with Diego Alende's stoppage-time winner at Nou Sardenya. Barça Atlètic won 2-1 at NSA Camp Joliu through Roger Martínez and Brian Fariñas. Last season in Primera RFEF, Andorra swept both: 3-1 away (Lauti de León, Alende, Manu Nieto) and 2-1 home (Álvaro Peña, Martín).