Almeria produced one of their most complete performances of the Spanish Segunda Division season, defeating CD Leganes 3-0 at the Power Horse Stadium on October 11, 2026. In a match billed as an important test in the promotion race, the home side controlled proceedings from the opening exchanges and turned their superiority into goals either side of half-time, securing a result that strengthens their place among the division’s leading candidates.

The scoreline was comprehensive, but the performance was even more impressive. Almeria combined patient possession with sharp pressing and ruthless finishing, while Leganes struggled to cope with the intensity of the home side’s midfield and the width of their attack. By the time the final whistle arrived, the three points were never in serious doubt.

Match overview

Almeria began with purpose, pushing their full-backs high and crowding the central areas to prevent Leganes from building through midfield. The visitors attempted to press aggressively in the early minutes, but Almeria’s quick combinations repeatedly played through the first line of pressure. That pattern set the tone for the evening: Almeria dictated the rhythm, Leganes chased the ball, and the home crowd grew louder with every passing attack.

Leganes had brief spells of possession and tried to threaten on the counter, but they lacked the final pass in the attacking third. Almeria’s back line remained compact, stepping up to catch the visitors offside and winning the majority of second balls. Once the home side took the lead, the match became an exercise in control, and the third goal effectively ended any hope of a Leganes comeback.

Key moments

• 14th minute – Almeria take the lead: Sergio Arribas opened the scoring with a composed finish from the edge of the box after good work down the right. The move began with a sharp turnover in midfield, and Arribas curled the ball beyond Juan Soriano into the far corner.
• 38th minute – Baptistao doubles the advantage: Almeria’s pressure told again before half-time. Lucas Robertone delivered an inviting cross from the left, and Leo Baptistao rose between two defenders to head powerfully into the net.
• 61st minute – Lopy makes it three: Leganes cleared a corner only as far as Dion Lopy, who took a touch and unleashed a low drive from outside the area. The ball skidded past a crowded penalty area and sealed the result.
• 72nd minute – Soriano keeps the score down: The Leganes goalkeeper produced a strong save to deny Baptistao a second goal, pushing a close-range effort wide after another quick Almeria break.
• 84th minute – Leganes’ best chance: The visitors finally carved out a clear opening, but a low shot from inside the box flashed just wide of the post, summing up a frustrating night for the away side.

Tactical story: midfield control and wide overloads

Almeria set up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 shape that became closer to a 3-2-5 in possession, with the full-backs advancing and the wingers drifting inside to create overloads. Robertone and Lopy controlled the middle of the pitch, winning loose balls and recycling possession quickly. That dominance allowed Almeria to sustain attacks without exposing themselves defensively.

Leganes, by contrast, lined up in a 4-4-2 and tried to press man-for-man in the first half. The approach worked sporadically, but once Almeria beat the first press, large spaces appeared between the Leganes midfield and defence. The visitors never fully solved that problem. After the second goal, they pushed their lines higher in search of a response, which only made Almeria more dangerous in transition.

Defensively, Almeria’s high line was well organised. The centre-backs stepped up aggressively, the goalkeeper swept behind, and Leganes were repeatedly caught offside or forced into hurried passes. It was a disciplined, intelligent display that reflected a team built for the demands of a long Segunda Division promotion campaign.

Standout performers

• Sergio Arribas: The creative hub of Almeria’s attack, he scored the opener and constantly found space between Leganes’ midfield and defensive lines.
• Lucas Robertone: A commanding display in midfield, capped by the assist for Baptistao’s header. He set the tempo and won back possession repeatedly.
• Dion Lopy: Combined physical presence with technical quality, and his long-range goal was the defining moment of the second half.
• Leo Baptistao: Led the line with intelligence, held the ball up well, and was a constant aerial threat before being denied a second goal by Soriano.
• Juan Soriano (CD Leganes):