SC Torrevieja CF 4–3 CDF Jávea
Torry Goals: Paco (51), Pucho (61 pen), Ernesto (67, 90)
REPORT BY CHRIS PEACH
Matchday 10 at the Nelson Mandela pitted third-placed SC Torrevieja against seventh-placed CDF Jávea, with the hosts aiming to keep their perfect home record alive. Piquero was forced into changes, dipping into the youth ranks to fill out his squad and replacing the suspended Matías with Bueno, Ismail and Caleb leading the line.
Unfortunately, however, the evening began in the worst possible fashion for Torry. With just nine minutes played, Jávea exploited the high defensive line, bursting down the right on the counter before expertly lifting the ball over the advancing Pizzaro for 0–1.
Torrevieja then responded with purpose. Caleb’s low cross flew inches beyond the sliding Ismail, and Loel’s header from a corner forced a routine stop from the visiting keeper. But Jávea were ruthless. In the 17th minute, their striker spun sharply on the edge of the box and curled an unstoppable effort into the top corner to silence the stadium at 0–2.
Caleb could have halved the deficit when he raced through on a loose ball, only for the keeper to deny him with a strong save. Soon after, Piquero made an early tactical switch, introducing Ernesto for Manresa in search of more attacking presence. The change did spark Torry into life—Ismail bravely met a high ball to head on target—but the goalkeeper again stood firm.
With the half-time scoreline SC Torrevieja 0–2 CDF Jávea, the visitors had been brutally efficient, scoring from their only clear openings, while Torry’s pressure lacked a finishing touch.
The restart brought immediate danger as Torry were caught napping, needing a vital last-ditch block from Paco to prevent a third Jávea goal. Torrevieja then created two golden chances of their own—Ernesto’s close-range strike was saved, and moments later Ismail fired over from only five yards.
The breakthrough finally arrived on 51 minutes. Ismail forced a corner with a powerful header, and from the ensuing scramble the ball fell to centre-back Paco, who bundled it home to ignite the comeback at 1–2.
Ten minutes later, Torry were level. Caleb danced into the box only to be chopped down, leaving the referee with an easy penalty decision. Pucho strode up and buried it with authority into the top-right corner: 2–2.
The turnaround was complete by the 67th minute. Another Torry set piece caused havoc, and though a defender tried to clear Ernesto’s drive off the line, the ball had already crossed—3–2 and the stadium roaring.
Jávea nearly spoiled the party late on when a cross to the back post left their striker with an open goal from two yards, but he somehow blasted over—an enormous reprieve for Torry.
And the hosts took full advantage. In the 90th minute, substitutes Miguel Ángel and Ernesto combined on a swift counter, with Ernesto curling home a superb finish from the edge of the box to make it 4–2 and seemingly settle the contest.
Jávea did grab a consolation deep into stoppage time with a looping header from 12 yards, but it proved the final act of a thrilling night.
Full-time: SC Torrevieja CF 4–3 CDF Jávea
A sensational comeback and a statement victory for Torrevieja. Piquero’s bold changes transformed the game, and the win edges Torry to within two points of league leaders Alicante, who eased to victory at home to Eldense on Sunday.
A massive result in the title race—and a night to remember at the Nelson Mandela.
