Intercity delivers a late rally after falling behind Real Madrid Castilla 3-0
In a dramatic 45-minute turnaround, Intercity shifted from the recipient of pressure to the one imposing it, staging a bold comeback that left Real Madrid Castilla stunned as the match ended 3-0. The Alicante side demonstrated the traits that are shaping their 2024 campaign in Group 2 of the First RFEF: relentless tenacity, clinical finishing from the penalty spot, and a moment of magic from Guillem Jaime with a 3-3 strike that marked the spirit of the team.
After the opening minutes, Intercity created danger with urgency. A precise pass carved open the defense, finding Nsue in a promising position before a decisive block from a defender halted the chance. Soon after, a sustained push from the hosts tested Real Madrid Castilla’s resilience, with a long-range effort that forced a tight gap between the posts and signaled the home team’s intent to control the proceedings.
Within five minutes, Real Madrid Castilla began to pull away. Álvaro Rodríguez opened the scoring with a well-placed volley that found the net after a few rebounds. Moments later, Theo Zidane extended the lead through a well-worked setup from Obrador inside the area. The same two players combined again shortly after, leaving Intercity with a difficult path to a comeback as the visitors pressed with confidence. A left-back contributed with an aerial effort that found the head of Zidane’s son, who doubled the advantage, underscoring Madrid’s dominance during those exchanges.
Nsue and the Intercity team kept searching for a spark, and the match showed how quickly fortunes can shift. A robust move from the left allowed a dangerous cross to test the keeper, but Madrid remained in control as the half wore on. The balance shifted in the second half as Intercity intensified their pressure and created moments of goal danger that raised the intensity of the contest.
Nsue’s persistence paid off in the 57th minute when a miscontrol by Asencio opened a window of opportunity. The midfielder intercepted, surged forward, and finished clinically to reduce the deficit. The Madrid goalkeeper then denied an early equalizer from Aarón Piñán, preserving Madrid’s three-goal cushion for a moment before evidence of a potential Intercity revival resurfaced. The halftime talk evidently sparked renewed determination within the Alicante side, who returned with more purpose and organization.
Castilla briefly regained momentum, showing once more why the match remained tense. Nico Paz produced a dangerous spot of play, and Álvaro Pérez converted a penalty after a cross from Pol Roigé, shrinking the gap to one goal with significant time still on the clock. The contest then grew into a straight battle of nerve and belief as Intercity pressed high and Madrid looked to close out the win with discipline.
Belief proved decisive. Ten minutes before the final whistle, Guillem Jaime stepped onto the stage with a strike from outside the area, curling a shot with the outside of his boot that found the back of the net and completed a dramatic turnaround. This goal was met with awe, a moment many felt could be signed by a player of Modric’s caliber for its audacious beauty and its symbolic value for Intercity’s resilience.
In the post-match assessment, the real story remained the arc of Intercity’s performance. The team demonstrated a capacity to respond in adversity, a structured approach to pressing, and moments of clinical execution that kept the dream of a strong finish in 2024 alive. The match committee and officials documented the pivotal actions that defined the evening, including the goals that framed the scoreline and the tactical shifts that allowed the Alicante side to reclaim momentum after a challenging start.
REAL MADRID CASTILLA: From Luis; Obrador, Mario Martín, Theo Zidane, Álvaro Rodríguez, Nico Paz, Edgar, Asencio, Gonzalo, Palacios, Ribes.
INTERCITY: Manu Herrera; Guillem Jaime, Cristo, Bellotti, Nsue, Pol Roigé, Vadik, Álvaro Pérez, Simón, Burlamaqui, Aarón Piñán.
GOALS: 1-0 (25′) Álvaro Rodríguez. 2-0 (27′) Theo Zidane. 3-0 (31′) Theo Zidane. 3-1 (48′) Álvaro Pérez, penalty. 3-2 (77′) Álvaro Pérez, penalty. 3-3 (80′) Guillem Jaime.
REFEREE: Imanol Irurtzun Artola. He officiated with firm control throughout the match.
STADIUM: Alfredo di Stéfano (Madrid).