Intercity’s nine-game winning streak came to a halt with a home defeat to Mérida, a late goal sealing the result in Villafranqueza and snatching the three points from the hosts. The setback left the black squad outside the playoff picture as the clock ran down on a pivotal match-day in their campaign.
The visitors turned to Antonio Solana as their focal point for this encounter, aiming to extend their recent surge while Intercity hoped to reclaim momentum in Alicante. Right from the opening minutes, the contest felt like a tactical chess match rather than a free‑flowing sprint. Intercity moved quickly to press in Mérida’s half, with Juanpa testing the goalkeeper early and setting a tone of intent. Mérida, though compact, countered with discipline, and a corner delivered by Bourdal failed to be converted, signaling that the game would favor careful, measured play over reckless chances. As the minutes advanced, control oscillated in the middle of the field, and neither side could consistently unlock the opposing defense. Intercity sought to probe Mérida’s lines with patient build‑ups designed to penetrate the Extremaduran box, a method they don’t frequently employ. Mérida, meanwhile, defended with organization and look to strike on the counter when the opportunity appeared. Manu Herrera’s presence gave Mérida a sense of solidity, and Intercity had to be precise with any attempt that could trouble the opposing goalkeeper. The first half closed with both teams trading blows in a contest that remained tightly contested and scoreless, with momentum firmly balanced as halftime approached.
After the break, Mérida again carried the initiative, launching the game’s first serious foray toward the Intercity goal. Sandoval came close to opening the scoring in the opening half hour of the second period, forcing a save from the Intercity defense. Intercity shifted to a more possession‑oriented approach, pressing higher up the pitch in an effort to unlock Mérida’s defensive block and find the breakthrough. Yet Alejandro Sandroni’s men remained resolute, carefully absorbing pressure and seeking opportunities to escape on quick transitions. Mérida looked dangerous enough to justify the decision to stay compact, and their plan was working as the clock wore on and the result remained level. The visitors appeared determined to seize the chance to disrupt Intercity’s push toward promotion by stealing three points away from their hosts, a move that would strengthen their own foothold in the league standings.
As the match neared its final stages, Mérida again breached the Intercity lines, testing the defense with dangerous runs. Chuma faced increased attention as the home team sought a late winner, but Mérida’s exchanges were increasingly efficient under pressure. In the closing moments, Elejalde produced the decisive moment with a well‑executed strike that found the back of the net, giving the visitors a precious lead and a little breathing room as the home side pushed to force a late equalizer. The goal shifted the game’s momentum decisively in Mérida’s favor and extended Intercity’s run of frustration, leaving the home team with the uphill task of salvaging at least a point in stoppage time. In the added period, Intercity pressed to recover the balance of play and avoid defeat, but Mérida’s defense held firm and the visitors stretched their advantage, denying the hosts the minutely required equalizer. The final whistle confirmed Mérida’s win and a dent in Intercity’s hopes of climbing back into the playoff picture, with the black squad left to reassess and regroup after this late setback, as Mérida celebrated a hard‑fought victory away from home and the satisfaction of breaking into Intercity’s unbeaten stretch with a crucial away win.