The game gave Hercules an extra advantage when Manresa lost to Prat, but capitalizing on it would require a win at Zaragoza that could hardly be excused. After his sentence, Lolo Escobar chose to shield the midfield, aligning Riera in defense and Jean Paul in attack, alongside Maxi and César Moreno. Míchel Herrero remained among the substitutes. In front of a modest lineup, packed with capable players yet struggling with cohesion and poised in an ideal footballing setting that was also chilly, the stage was set.
The kickoff brought momentum, an early unwelcome yellow card for Mario and strong winds that complicated ball control. As the match wore on, play became more constricted, with density of possessions concentrated away from the wings and in the center. Hercules pressed forward but the final moves lacked bite and precision in the last meters. Aragón appeared calm and organized, offering a disciplined shape and a drive that did not invite the guest defense to feel unsettled. Alvarito looked to his preferred option, yet his cross-shot skimmed the post. In the end, Jean Paul finished high in a straightforward scenario. Hercules left chances unclaimed, and the contest moved toward a moment of unresolved tension.
The crossbar denied a spectacular header from Riera, who had returned to lead the attack from set pieces. Lolo Escobar’s squad had already earned praise for their football and the overall performance. The reserve side responded with Satur’s attempt, saved securely by Carlos Abad. The draw proved meaningless to both sides, and the match opened up in the second half with fewer defensive lines. The task was to execute correctly and discover an effective attacking solution. Discussions persisted around a goal the home side believed was nullified by offside.
The final phase of the battle brought everything to a close. Lolo opted to bring in Eimil for Artiles and pushed Raúl Ruiz forward. That substitution underscored the shortage of attacking options from the bench. A decisive moment followed a smart build-up that exposed the visitors from Alicante, and the coach attempted to respond by introducing Ander Vitoria and Sergio Marcos as fresh options. A determined search for a breakthrough began, and purpose finally materialized when Eimil converted a well-constructed assist from Jean Paul. The goal came in a moment that was more about relief than celebration, leaving the home side grateful to avoid a defeat that would have felt unjust.
In sum, the contest confirmed a tense, even match with chances at both ends. Hercules showed patience and tactical discipline, while Aragón demonstrated resilience and structure. The result reflected a fair balance of effort and opportunity, with late intervention confirming the narrow margins that often decide football matches. The outcome echoed a common truth in the sport: small details at critical moments can swing a game, and patience through the earlier phases is rewarded when efficiency finally appears on the scoreboard.