AD San Juan earned a narrow 2-1 victory over CD Subiza in the Spanish Tercera División RFEF on Sunday, October 4, 2026. In a competitive Navarran derby, San Juan's first-half goals proved enough to claim all three points, despite a spirited second-half fightback from the visitors.

Match Overview

The home side started with intent and broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when Iker Arrieta finished off a well-worked move down the left. San Juan doubled their advantage in the 37th minute through Mikel Ezquerro, who pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired home. Subiza responded after the interval, pulling one back in the 61st minute via Aitor Zabaleta's header from a corner.

From there, the game became a tense battle. Subiza pushed numbers forward in search of an equaliser, but San Juan's defence held firm, with goalkeeper Unai Goikoetxea making two vital late saves. The hosts managed the closing stages professionally to secure a valuable win.

Key Moments

• 18' – San Juan take the lead: Iker Arrieta finishes a slick move with a low drive.
• 37' – San Juan double up: Mikel Ezquerro reacts quickest to a loose ball and scores from close range.
• 61' – Subiza pull one back: Aitor Zabaleta heads in from a corner to halve the deficit.
• 88' – Late drama: Goikoetxea produces a superb stop to deny Subiza an equaliser.

Tactical Story

AD San Juan deployed a compact 4-4-2, looking to win the ball in midfield and launch quick attacks. Their two first-half goals came from exactly that blueprint: winning possession and transitioning with speed. Subiza, meanwhile, struggled to cope with San Juan's intensity early on and were punished for giving away the ball in dangerous areas.

After the break, Subiza adjusted, pushing their full-backs higher and committing more bodies forward. The change brought them a goal and a series of chances, but San Juan's defensive discipline and Goikoetxea's goalkeeping ensured the comeback fell short.

Standout Players

• Iker Arrieta (AD San Juan): Opened the scoring and was a constant threat on the left.
• Mikel Ezquerro (AD San Juan): Scored the winner and controlled the midfield tempo.
• Unai Goikoetxea (AD San Juan): Made crucial saves, especially in the final minutes.
• Aitor Zabaleta (CD Subiza): Gave his side hope with a well-taken header and fought until the end.

Table & Season Impact

This win bolsters AD San Juan's standing in the Tercera División RFEF table, keeping them in contention for a playoff spot. For CD Subiza, the defeat is a frustrating result in a tight regional battle, though their second-half display offers encouragement. With local pride and league points at stake, the reverse fixture later in the season already looks like a fixture to watch.