Haro Deportivo and CP Calasancio served up one of the most remarkable matches of the Spanish Tercera División RFEF season on 13 September 2026, with the hosts edging a seven-goal classic 4-3 in a game that repeatedly swung against the run of play.

A defensive nightmare and a neutral's dream

Seven goals, a series of lead changes and an increasingly frantic closing half hour made this an unforgettable night in La Rioja. Haro Deportivo ultimately took the three points, but the manner of the victory will give their coaching staff plenty to work on, while CP Calasancio will feel they did more than enough going forward to deserve something from the game.

Key moments

• Haro strike first. A quick move down the left ends with a low finish and an early lead.
• Calasancio level. The visitors respond almost immediately, punishing a loose pass with a first-time strike from the edge of the area.
• Two more goals before the break. Haro retake the lead from a corner, only for Calasancio to equalise again with a header from a deep cross, making it 2-2 at the interval.
• Haro move ahead again. Substitute power tells early in the second half as Haro score twice in quick succession to open a 4-2 advantage.
• Nervous finish. Calasancio pull one back to make it 4-3 and pile on the pressure, but Haro's back line survives a series of late set pieces and deep crosses.

Tactical story

Both sides lined up with the intention of attacking, and both paid the price. Haro pressed high and looked to win the ball in the final third, which produced turnovers and goals, but it also left them exposed to quick, direct counter-attacks. Calasancio, meanwhile, defended with a high line that invited runners in behind and struggled all evening with crosses into the box.

The decisive passage came immediately after half-time, when Haro's substitutions added pace and penetration against a tiring defensive unit. For twenty minutes, the hosts looked capable of running away with it. Their failure to manage the game after the fourth goal allowed Calasancio back in, and the closing stages were played almost entirely in Haro's half.

Standout performers

Haro's second-half substitute was the difference-maker, involved in two of the four goals and stretching the Calasancio defence repeatedly. Their attacking midfielder dictated the tempo in the first half and delivered the corner that led to the third goal. Defensively, the goalkeeper made two important saves at 4-3 that ultimately preserved all three points.

For CP Calasancio, the centre-forward's movement was excellent and his link-up play caused problems throughout, while the left winger was a constant threat with his deliveries into the area.

What it means in the Tercera División RFEF

In a division where goal difference can decide playoff qualification and relegation, this result carries extra weight. Haro Deportivo add three points and, crucially, a boost in goals scored, while CP Calasancio leave with nothing despite producing one of their most threatening attacking displays of the early season. Both teams will know that this level of defensive openness cannot be repeated if they are to achieve their objectives this campaign.

For supporters, the match was a reminder of exactly why the Tercera División RFEF remains one of the most entertaining tiers in Spanish football, where tight local rivalries and attacking football regularly produce scorelines more associated with handball than with the beautiful game.