Cádiz CF all but sealed LaLiga Santander survival at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes on Sunday, as Rubén Sobrino’s first-half goal gave Álvaro Cervera’s men a 1-0 win over Granada CF that takes them to 40 points.
Cádiz once again put in a focused display both in defence and in attack, and demonstrated just why they are set to remain in the Spanish top flight next season.
Electric start at Los Cármenes!
In the first minute, Cádiz had a great chance to open the scoring. Salvi Sánchez advanced into crossing space on the right, before sending a ball into the box that Álvaro Negredo couldn’t quite finish off. The visitors had made a strong, energetic start.
Granada’s response wasn’t long in coming, though, Quini firing in a powerful effort that Cádiz goalkeeper Conan Ledesma grabbed hold of at the second attempt.
Granada start to put their foot on the ball
And this led the hosts to create a few dangerous attacks, such as a nice piece of link-up play between Antonio Puertas and Quini which, thankfully for Cádiz, came to nothing. Shortly afterwards, just past the half-hour mark, Ledesma was forced into a fine stop when a corner-kick delivery fell to Nehuen Pérez, the Argentine saving his compatriot’s shot with his legs.
Cádiz take the lead!
Soon after that opening for Granada, Cádiz got themselves ahead – thanks in no small part to a fantastic right-wing cross from Iza Carcelén, which Negredo met with a perfect downward header. Home keeper Aarón Escandell got down to prevent what seemed a certain goal, only for the striker to play the loose ball across the six-yard box for an unmarked Sobrino to turn home.
And Sobrino could have all but secured the points before the break…
If he had managed to capitalise on a one-on-one chance when put through on Aarón by Negredo’s through ball. However, the custodian once again came up with an excellent save, getting a foot to the forward’s shot to deny Cádiz a second.
Hard-fought battle in the second half
One in which both sides fought tooth and nail, as it became a game all about grit and determination. In a second 45 that brought few goalscoring opportunities, one notable attempt was a dangerous low drive by José Mari that Aarón kept out.
Flurry of cards for Granada
The referee showed several yellow cards to Granada players, including Roberto Soldado, who was sent off after picking up two bookings for his protests as he appealed for a penalty that the officials were correct not to award.
