Unionistas de Salamanca earned their place in the Copa del Rey by overcoming Villarreal in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw across regulation and extra time. The match was paused moments before the scheduled start of extra time due to a power outage, leading to a postponement that stretched into Monday and kept fans on the edge of their seats. When play resumed, both sides picked up the intensity, each pressing to force a decisive moment that could tilt the result in their favor. In the early stages of extra time, Unionistas pushed hard to break through, while Villarreal sought a swift counter to regain momentum. Numerous chances surfaced for both teams, but sharp goalkeeping and tight finishing kept the score level and carried the contest into the inevitable penalty session.
The shootout unfolded with a precise, measured tempo. After a sequence of misses that maintained the tension, Unionistas found themselves level at four goals apiece. David Gómez stepped forward and converted to give his side a lead. Villarreal answered with poise, yet a crucial miss from Kiko Femenía opened a narrow window for Unionistas to seal the tie. The home team held their nerve as the final shot reached its mark, delivering a victory anchored in disciplined defense and clinical spot-kicking under pressure. The moment reinforced how knockout football can crown a club that stays calm and composed when the stakes are highest, a theme that shaped this cup clash from the whistle to the final kick.
Before the shootout, the regular 90 minutes delivered a tense battle with clear scoring chances for both teams. Villarreal showed a willingness to press forward in search of a late winner, while Unionistas structured their play to probe the visitors’ defense and threaten on the break. Both sides tested the reflexes and concentration of the goalkeepers, yet neither could convert their opportunities into a decisive goal before extra time began. The momentum swung back and forth throughout the match, highlighting the competitive gap between a club from a lower division and a top-flight opponent. When play resumed after the pause, the tempo remained high, as players chased breakthroughs and endured the inevitable disappointments that come with cup ties. By the end of regulation, the scoreboard reflected no winner, but the overarching narrative celebrated Unionistas’ resilience and tactical discipline, crowned by a dramatic shootout that captured the emotion and drama characteristic of knockout football at this level.