“Rubén Alcaraz was involved in a notable incident just before half-time, drawing attention in what proved a tetchy end to the first half, foreshadowing his later dismissal risk.”
“In a chaotic final minute, Jorge Pascual was sent off for arguing with officials, and seconds later Álex Sola — who had himself been booked in the same passage of play — swept home to give Granada a 1-0 lead that would not be overturned.”
Pivotal
Real Zaragoza
Granada
Granada did what was necessary on a fraught Friday night in Zaragoza, grinding out a 1-0 win through a 90th-minute goal from substitute Álex Sola after a match that was more attritional than aesthetically pleasing. Granada controlled the contest in the key metrics that matter — 55% possession, 11 shots to Zaragoza's seven, and an 82% pass accuracy that exposed the hosts' 70% — yet the scoreline remained level deep into stoppage time, suggesting neither side could truly impose themselves in the final third. Zaragoza were not without threat, creating two big chances of their own and generating 64 dangerous attacks compared to Granada's 24, but they were ultimately undone by their own inability to convert and a combustible finish that saw Jorge Pascual sent off for arguing before Sola punished them immediately. The result carries genuine weight in the La Liga 2 promotion picture — Granada consolidate their push toward the upper half of the table while Zaragoza are left to reflect on a disciplinary meltdown that cost them dearly in the final moments of a game they had every reason to take at least a point from.
Hugo Pinilla takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Sergio Ruiz Alonso replaces Pedro Aleman.
Hugo Pinilla comes on for Francho Serrano.
Francho Serrano's right-footed shot is blocked.
Alex Sola replaces Jose Manuel Arnaiz Diaz.
Ruben Alcaraz takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Marcos Aranda Cuenca comes on for Kenan Kodro.
Jose Raul Gutierrez is substituted for Francisco Sebastian Moyano Jimenez.
Mawuli Mensah comes on for Yussif Saidu.
Pau Casadesus Castro replaces Alvaro Lemos.
Alvaro Lemos receives a yellow card.
Ruben Alcaraz receives a yellow card.
Daniel Gomez Alcon takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jose Manuel Arnaiz Diaz takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Loic Williams takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Baila Diallo takes a left-footed shot but misses.
The VAR decision has cancelled the goal.
Ruben Alcaraz takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Goal! Ruben Alcaraz scores, making it 1-0.
Jose Manuel Arnaiz Diaz takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Francisco Sebastian Moyano Jimenez takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Bambo Diaby attempts a header but misses the shot.
Jorge Pascual's left-footed shot is blocked.
Rober Gonzalez takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Ruben Alcaraz attempts a header but misses the target.
Manuel Trigueros Munoz takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Pablo Saenz takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Jawad El Yamiq takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
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