FC Andorra Secure Segunda División Survival with 1-0 Win Over Valladolid

**FC Andorra secure Segunda División survival with 1-0 win over struggling Valladolid**

FC Andorra mathematically confirmed their place in Spain's Segunda División for another season after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Real Valladolid at the Nou Estadi de la FAF in Encamp. Marc Cardona scored the decisive goal in the 62nd minute, his first for the club since joining in January, assisted by a clever heel flick from Dani Villahermosa. The result leaves Andorra on 52 points in ninth place, eight points off the promotion play-offs with six matches remaining.

The hosts dominated possession and created numerous chances, repeating the lineup that beat Cádiz the previous week. Early threats came from Minsu, who fired wide after a turn on the edge of the box, and Jastin García, who combined with Efe Akman but skewed his shot. Valladolid, 17th with 40 points and six clear of relegation, sat deep, relying on counter-attacks through forwards like Juanmi Latasa and Peter Federico. Goalkeeper Álvaro Owono made a key double save from a Michelin cross late in the first half, while Andorra's set-pieces, including corners at minutes 23 and 42, came close without reward.

The game shifted after Jastin suffered a hamstring injury at minute 54, making way for Cardona, who had played just 29 minutes all season. Moments later, Marc Domènech fed Villahermosa, whose backheel set up Cardona to chip Aceves calmly. Valladolid pushed late, with Marcos André heading wide and Noah Ohio suffering a serious knee injury that forced him off on a stretcher, leaving them with 10 men after using all substitutes. Owono's 97th-minute stop preserved the clean sheet amid seven minutes of added time.

Andorra's injury list included confirmed absentees Lautaro de León, Édgar González and Álex Calvo, though Sergio Molina returned from the bench. Valladolid missed Iván Alejo through suspension and Guille Bueno and Sergi Canós to injury. Referee Manuel Jesús Orellana Cid issued yellows to Marc Domènech for Andorra, and Biuk, Latasa, Juric and David Torres for the visitors. Attendance was 2,220.

Ahead of kickoff on Sunday at 2pm, coach Carles Manso urged focus despite a 15-point cushion over relegation. "It's a very tough match, but we must go out to win and certify survival," he said, praising Valladolid's quality despite their recent Primera drop and coaching changes under Fran Escribá. Manso dismissed play-off talk as unrealistic—nine points away pre-match—stressing "realistic goals" after earning 49 points by matchday 36. He credited club patience during a winless run for the turnaround since replacing Ibai Gómez.

Post-match, Manso reflected on the 13 points from the last 15 available and three straight wins: "The season feels like it won't end. If they'd told us in November we'd be here, we'd have signed for it." No decisions yet on his staff's future—most under contract—despite Gerard Piqué's hands-on role. "We'll adapt to whatever the club decides; we're club people wanting Andorra to stay up and climb."

Andorra, unbeaten in nine of their last 10, eye Leganés next, aiming to surpass their 59-point record from their debut professional Segunda campaign.