Atletic Club D'Escaldes Stun FC Santa Coloma in Andorran Cup Thriller

The Andorran Cup served up a classic upset on 23 May 2026 as Atletic Club D'Escaldes emerged 3–2 winners away to domestic heavyweights FC Santa Coloma. The visitors roared back from an early deficit to secure a memorable quarter‑final victory at the Estadi Nacional.

Match Summary

FC Santa Coloma, perennial favourites in Andorran football, started at a blistering pace. They opened the scoring inside five minutes when a long‑ball caught the Atletic defence napping, and the Santa Coloma striker slotted home. The lead was doubled shortly after via a well‑worked set piece, leaving Atletic Club D'Escaldes staring at a heavy defeat.

However, the visitors refused to capitulate. A swift counter‑attack just before the half‑hour mark pulled one back, giving Atletic renewed belief. The momentum shifted entirely in the second half, with Atletic equalising from a penalty after a handball in the box. The winning goal came with 20 minutes remaining as a speculative shot from distance deflected past the Santa Coloma goalkeeper.

Key Moments

• Early Santa Coloma blitz: Two goals inside the first 15 minutes seemed to put the tie beyond doubt.
• Atletic’s tactical adjustment: Switching to a more direct approach after going 2–0 down proved decisive.
• Controversial penalty: The handball decision was hotly disputed by the home bench but stood after a VAR check.

What This Means for the Andorran Cup

FC Santa Coloma’s exit opens up the competition for the remaining teams. Atletic Club D'Escaldes, who have been building steadily in recent seasons, now face a favourable semi‑final draw and will fancy their chances of lifting the trophy. For Santa Coloma, the defeat is a bitter blow as they had been targeting a domestic double.

Standout Performers

Atletic Club D'Escaldes’ midfield dynamo covered every blade of grass, scoring one goal and providing the assist for the winner. FC Santa Coloma’s left‑back endured a difficult evening, being caught out of position for two of the three goals conceded.

Next Steps

Atletic Club D'Escaldes will now prepare for a semi‑final clash against lower‑division opposition, while FC Santa Coloma must regroup quickly for their league campaign, where they remain top of the table.