

CF Badalona 1-3 CE L’Hospitalet: Visitors Rally to Earn Play-Off Advantage
CE L’Hospitalet produced a stunning comeback to beat CF Badalona 3-1 away on May 25, 2026, in the Spanish Tercera Federación play-offs. After falling behind early, the visitors responded with a dominant second-half display to take control of the tie.
First Half: Badalona Strike First
Badalona started brightly and took the lead in the 12th minute. A defensive mix-up in the L’Hospitalet box allowed Pol Fernández to tap in from close range. The home side continued to press but were unable to add a second, as L’Hospitalet’s goalkeeper Álex Ruiz made several sharp saves.
L’Hospitalet grew into the game and began to create chances of their own. They equalized in the 39th minute when striker Carlos Martínez headed home from a pinpoint cross. The teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Second Half: L’Hospitalet Take Control
The visitors came out after halftime with renewed energy. They took the lead in the 52nd minute when winger Javier Gómez curled a free kick over the wall and into the net. Badalona struggled to respond, and L’Hospitalet sealed the victory in the 78th minute. A quick counter-attack ended with David López finishing calmly from inside the box.
The 3-1 scoreline gives L’Hospitalet a commanding lead heading into the second leg. Badalona will need a remarkable turnaround away from home to keep their promotion hopes alive.
Key Takeaways
- L’Hospitalet’s resilience – After conceding first, they showed character to turn the match around.
- Set-piece threat – Gómez’s free kick was a highlight of the match.
- Badalona’s defensive lapses – They failed to handle L’Hospitalet’s attacking movement after the break.
CE L’Hospitalet will be confident of finishing the job in the second leg, while CF Badalona face a near-impossible task on the road.