UB Lebrijana 2-3 Getafe: La Liga side survive Copa del Rey scare

Getafe survived a serious Copa del Rey test on Friday, edging lower-league hosts UB Lebrijana 3-2 in a pulsating early-round tie at the Estadio Municipal de Lebrija. The La Liga visitors led, were pegged back twice, and needed a late winner to avoid extra time and a potential cup upset.

The result sends Getafe into the next round, but the scoreline will give the top-flight side plenty to review. UB Lebrijana, backed by a noisy home crowd, produced a brave and organised performance and pushed their more illustrious opponents far closer than many had expected.

Match overview

Getafe began with the greater control and took the lead in the 12th minute through Iván Corralejo, who punished a loose touch in midfield and finished low into the corner. It was the kind of sharp, decisive moment that separated the teams on paper, but Lebrijana responded with character rather than fear.

The hosts equalised in the 27th minute when Manu Prieto met a corner with a powerful header. The goal lifted the home crowd and forced Getafe into a scrappier, more physical contest. Getafe restored their advantage four minutes before half-time when Corralejo converted a penalty after a handball appeal, sending the visitors into the break 2-1 ahead.

Lebrijana refused to fade. In the 63rd minute, Javi Román levelled with a curling effort from the edge of the area, sparking fresh hope of a famous result. But Getafe found the decisive moment in the 82nd minute, substitute Álex Santamaría finishing a quick move down the right to make it 3-2 and settle a tie that had threatened to slip away.

Key moments

• 12th minute: Getafe take the lead through Iván Corralejo after a high turnover.
• 27th minute: UB Lebrijana equalise as Manu Prieto heads home from a corner.
• 41st minute: Getafe win and convert a penalty, with Corralejo scoring his second.
• 63rd minute: Javi Román curls in a fine equaliser for the hosts.
• 82nd minute: Álex Santamaría scores the winner for Getafe.
• 90+4: Lebrijana push for one final chance, but Getafe clear their lines.

Tactical story

Lebrijana set up to deny Getafe space in central areas, pressing selectively and forcing the visitors wide. Their compact shape made it difficult for Getafe to build rhythm, and the hosts were especially dangerous from set pieces. Every corner and free-kick into the box carried genuine menace.

Getafe, meanwhile, struggled to impose sustained control. Their best moments came when they accelerated the tempo and attacked the space behind Lebrijana’s aggressive full-backs. The introduction of fresh legs in the second half helped, particularly on the right flank, where the winning goal originated. Still, Getafe’s defensive concentration wavered twice, and against stronger opposition those lapses would have been costly.

Standout performers

Corralejo was Getafe’s most decisive player, scoring twice and constantly offering a running threat behind the defence. Santamaría made the difference from the bench, while Getafe’s goalkeeper produced a late save to protect the narrow lead. For Lebrijana, Prieto led the line with energy and scored a fine header, Román was the creative spark in midfield, and the back line deserved credit for withstanding long spells of pressure.

What the result means

Getafe advance, but the performance was a reminder that Copa del Rey away ties against motivated lower-league sides are rarely straightforward. The top-flight club will need to be sharper in the next round. For UB Lebrijana, elimination will sting, but the display underlined the club’s ability to compete against professional opposition and gave their supporters a night to remember.

The final score — UB Lebrijana 2-3 Getafe — flatters neither side’s effort. It was a cup tie full of chances, tension and momentum swings, and Getafe ultimately had just enough quality in the decisive moments.