Hercules faced a tense moment outside the castle gates as a late penalty swung the outcome, gifting victory to the visitors from the spot. The result highlighted the positives surrounding Hercules while exposing a lack of clinical finishing when the game demanded it most. Rubén Torrecilla’s squad fashioned chances, dominated long passages of play, and kept the tempo brisk, yet a decisive final touch repeatedly eluded them. The decisive blow came from a César Moreno penalty, underscoring the need for a reliable attacking threat to avoid droughts reappearing in future campaigns. On the turf, Hercules moved with energy, pressed with intent, and built purposeful attacks, though converting pressure into goals remained stubborn. At Pinatar Arena, Álvarito, Guti, Jean Paul, Mendes, and Mangada contributed ideas and structural unity in the buildup, yet their forward runs were consistently stifled by a determined defense guarding the goal. The scene underscored both the potential and the gaps that Hercules must address as they look to convert pressure into decisive results in the upcoming fixtures and campaigns.
