UD Castellonense and Almería played out a tense 0-0 draw in the Copa del Rey first round, a result that pushed the tie into extra time and then a penalty shootout. The lower-division hosts delivered a disciplined, courageous defensive performance, while the higher-ranked visitors dominated possession but could not find a breakthrough across 120 minutes. Almería eventually held their nerve from the spot to advance 4-3, avoiding one of the biggest upsets of the round.

Match overview

The Copa del Rey has long been a stage for giant-killing stories, and UD Castellonense approached this home tie with exactly that mindset. Competing against a professional opponent with far greater resources, the hosts sat deep, stayed compact and invited Almería to break them down. The visitors saw most of the ball, particularly in the first half, but clear chances were rare against a home side that defended its penalty area with real determination.

The 0-0 scoreline after 90 minutes told the story of a match shaped by patience on one side and resistance on the other. Almería rotated parts of their squad but still fielded enough quality to control territory; Castellonense, meanwhile, relied on sharp positioning, last-ditch blocks and the leadership of their goalkeeper. The atmosphere around the ground grew with every passing minute, and the longer the game stayed level, the more the underdogs believed.

Key moments

Almería’s best early opening arrived inside the first quarter of an hour, when a low shot from the edge of the box was pushed away by the Castellonense goalkeeper. The visitors continued to probe down the flanks, delivering a series of crosses that the home defence headed clear. Castellonense’s first real counterattack came midway through the first half, but the final pass was cut out before it could reach the forward run.

After the break, Almería increased the tempo and thought they had found the breakthrough when the ball hit the net from a close-range finish. The celebration was cut short by an offside flag, and the reprieve energised the hosts. Castellonense nearly stole the lead against the run of play with a counterattack that ended in a low drive saved at the near post, while Almería struck the crossbar during extra time. In the shootout, the professional side converted their decisive kick to seal a hard-fought 4-3 win.

Tactical story

Castellonense set up in a deep, narrow block, often with five defenders across the back and midfielders dropping into the space just ahead of them. Their plan was clear: deny central access, force Almería wide and defend the penalty area with numbers. It was not a passive performance — the hosts pressed selectively and tried to spring quick counters through the channels whenever Almería’s full-backs pushed forward.

Almería’s challenge was one of patience and penetration. They circulated the ball well and found plenty of possession in the middle third, but their final pass was often delayed or blocked. The visitors looked most dangerous from set pieces and second balls, yet Castellonense’s goalkeeper and centre-backs dealt with those moments calmly. As extra time wore on, the gap in fitness and squad depth began to show, but the hosts held on to take the tie to penalties.

Standout players

The Castellonense goalkeeper was the obvious hero of the night, making several important saves and commanding his box under pressure. His centre-back partner produced a composed display, reading danger early and clearing numerous crosses. In midfield, the hosts’ captain worked tirelessly to close down space and launch counters, while Almería’s most influential player was their deep-lying midfielder, who kept the ball moving and tried to unlock the defence with angled passes.

What the result means

For Almería, the priority was simply to progress, and they did so — but not without a scare. The performance will give the coaching staff plenty to review ahead of the next round, particularly in relation to breaking down deep blocks and converting territorial control into clear chances. For UD Castellonense, the night ended in elimination, yet the display will be remembered as a proud Copa del Rey effort against professional opposition. The hosts took the tie to the limit, conceded nothing from open play across 120 minutes and pushed Almería all the way to a penalty shootout.