Leganés faced a setback as they hosted Cartagena, slipping to a 1-3 defeat that deepened their struggles and put their playoff ambitions under pressure. The Madrid club entered the match in need of a response, but the beginning of the game showed a team still mired in inconsistency, while Cartagena played with a clear intent to take control and collect valuable points away from home.
The match quickly highlighted a tense balance. Cartagena pressed high and forced early moments of danger, while Leganés searched for rhythm to unlock the visiting defence. In the 37th minute the referee awarded a penalty to Leganés after a handball near the box, and Jose Arnaiz stepped up to convert. The home side found themselves ahead, ending a drought that had stretched for several games and lifting the blue and white crowd with a moment of relief.
After the break Cartagena emerged with renewed purpose, knowing a positive result would turn around their own recent form. They pressed forward and created chances to level the score. A header that went just wide and a crossbar shot from Feuillassier kept the tension high, but Leganés still held the lead for a time and had opportunities to extend it as fatigue began to take its toll on both sides.
Cartagena continued to push and finally drew level when Ortuno found the net in the 78th minute, bringing the score to one goal apiece while the game was opening into a more open style, and the visitors sensed a real opportunity. Only a few moments later, the away side completed the comeback as Jairus delivered a shot that was converted into a goal with precision to put Cartagena ahead. The turnaround stunned the home team and its supporters, who had hoped to hold the advantage late into the game.
The closing stages saw Cartagena seize the initiative, pressing forward with confidence as Leganés searched for answers. A swift counterattack solidified the outcome when Franchu finished from close range, sealing the three points for the visitors and leaving Leganés fighting to avoid further trouble in the table as the match neared its end.
In the final minutes Leganés pressed relentlessly, but misfortune struck through an own goal from Cartagena that compounded the visitors frustration and allowed Leganés to conclude a chaotic contest at home with a heavy loss. The result left Leganés with a call to recompose and respond quickly in forthcoming fixtures, while Cartagena celebrated a crucial win that keeps their playoff hopes alive.
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The recap of Leganes against Cartagena in the 2022 2023 season: video, goals and statistics
The final score in Butarque was Cartagena 3, Leganés 1. The momentum swung dramatically as the match progressed and Cartagena seized control late on to claim the win.
Key moments from the game included a Leganés penalty conversion early in the first half, a late equalizer from Cartagena, and a sequence of goals that defined the outcome in the final twenty minutes. Arnaiz provided the initial spark for Leganés, triggering a sense of belief that was ultimately tempered by Cartagena’s late resolve.
Early phases showed Arnaiz testing the Cartagena defence, with a dangerous shot that forced a save. As both teams settled into the contest, Leganés attempted to impose themselves through patient build-up and quick interactions in and around the box. The first half concluded with Leganés holding a slender lead, but the second half opened with Cartagena pressing more aggressively and finding the breakthrough at the moment Leganés thought they had breathing room.
The timeline of goals reflected a match that swung on moments and team momentum. Leganés opened the scoring through a penalty awarded for a handball, while Cartagena answered with a late double and an unfortunate own goal that capped a difficult evening for the home side. The match finished with a sense of urgency as Leganés pushed for a late recovery, but Cartagena held firm and secured three points that mattered in the chase for promotion and stability in the division. (Goal)
The Leganés lineup faced Cartagena with intent and focus, yet the execution on the night did not align with the plan. The clash at Butarque served as a stark reminder of how quickly a match can pivot on a handful of key moments and how resilience on the road can tilt the balance in favor of a team on a mission. (Goal)
Source: Goal