Power outage interrupts the Reina Sofia Stadium showdown between Unionistas and Villarreal
At the end of regular time, the postponed Copa del Rey match ended 1-1, preventing extra time from being played as the lights failed and the clock ran out on additional play.
Ilias Akhomach opened the scoring for the visitors, and Alfred Planas converted from the penalty spot to level the score and push the game into extra time that ultimately did not occur as service issues persisted and players waited in the locker room for the issue to be resolved.
The Reina Sofia clash began with Villarreal showing immediate intent, pushing forward and applying pressure from the opening whistle. Iván Martínez faced a sustained wave of attacks as the yellow-red side sought an early breakthrough.
Baena struck early, the ball pinging inside the white and black area in the third minute and colliding with Ekaitz as Ilias Akhomach advanced from the right flank five minutes later. A debated penalty decision, born from hesitation between the goalkeeper and the full-back, sparked a chorus of anticipation among Salamanca supporters who had been engaged from the start.
Gerard Moreno looked to unlock the home defense, pressing Martínez into a remarkable stretch save on a header that found a corner shortly after. Soriano cleared the rebound from Cuenca, whose left-footed volley sailed high over the target.
The script appeared to favor the visitors, but Unionistas seized the moment with a series of set pieces and wing attacks, forcing the pace and threatening the opponent’s goal for the first time. Pepe Reina produced a spectacular stop in the 13th minute, denying a clear chance and sending the crowd into a roar.
From a rehearsed free kick on the right, Mario Losada arrived unmarked at the far post, where Ramiro Mayor’s well-timed heel redirected the ball toward the goal. The world champion goalkeeper, however, stood firm and preserved the stalemate.
The stands in Salamanca exuded a persistent energy despite the chilly Castilian evening. Ball possession began to stabilize as Unionistas grew more comfortable while Villarreal struggled to breach a well-organized defense, opting for long balls toward Morales and Altimira as the best routes forward.
Early in the first period, Losada had a decent opportunity after a ball from the flank found its way into the middle, but his half-volley from close range missed the target, testing Reina’s positioning rather than the goalkeeper’s reflexes.
As the half drew to a close, Villarreal edged forward, exploiting small gaps in Unionistas’ stamina. Altimira advanced to the byline and delivered a cross that Morales met with a tentative attempt that Camus saved well, leaving the ball bouncing in the danger area for a moment before clearing it away.
Gerard Moreno again found space in the box, and a decisive shot from close range forced Martínez into a crucial stop. That sequence proved to be the last notable action before the break, with Ponz leaving the field content, his side ahead in energy terms and optimism high for the second half.
Villarreal returned intent on asserting control, but Unionistas defended in a compact shape, blocking the advances and attacking mostly through the flanks. The Yellow Submarine pressed relentlessly, yet the hosts held firm, forcing a battle of patience and grit rather than open play.
In the second half, Teijeira’s appearance added bite to Unionistas’ forward line and Villarreal pressed with renewed vigor on set pieces and quick transitions. Pepe Reina remained vigilant as the home team absorbed pressure and attempted to strike on breaks, but the match tempo remained high and tense.
In the 82nd minute, Akhomach struck a powerful left-footed shot from the edge of the area that found the top corner, leaving Martínez with no chance and giving the visitors the lead again. The home side, undeterred, pushed forward once more as Villarreal searched for a late seal, only for Reina Sofia to remain quiet in the goal as the clock continued to tick down.
Reina Sofia’s silence was brief, as the hosts found a lifeline from the spot five minutes later when Alfred Planas converted Comesaña’s best penalty of the night, sending the ball to the far post and igniting celebrations in the San José neighborhood and across Salamanca. The drama was far from over, but the scoring was settled in regulation time to force what would have been extra time, had the lights not failed.
With regulation time complete and both sides exhausted yet eager for more, the pitch fell silent as officials consulted the delay. The match paused as the arena sought to restore power, and the players remained in their dressing rooms waiting for a verdict on whether additional play could proceed.
The data sheet captured the tense narrative: Salamanca CF Unionists lineup featured Iván Martínez in goal with Camus and Ramiro at the back, followed by a robust midfield and adaptive attack. Villarreal CF lined up with Reina in goal, Altimira and Bailly in defensive roles, and a frontline anchored by Akhomach, Morales, and Gerard Moreno. The 82nd-minute goal by Akhomach and the 87th-minute penalty by Planas defined the scoreline before the interruption.
Officials noted the match as a Cup round of 32 encounter held at full capacity with strong attendance, while tributes were paid to former Unión Deportiva Salamanca and Villarreal players before kickoff. The match was a showcase of effort from both teams, even as the outcome remained unresolved due to the power outage that halted extra time play.