Real Madrid Castilla 3-2 Antequera CF produced a five-goal Primera División RFEF thriller at the Alfredo Di Stéfano on Sunday evening, with the home side finding a late winner to take all three points after twice being pegged back. In a match that swung repeatedly, Castilla’s young attack combined well enough to outweigh Antequera’s stubborn resistance and sharp counter-attacking, giving the reserves a valuable result in the early-autumn phase of the campaign.

Match overview

Castilla started with the intensity expected of a Real Madrid reserve side, pressing high and forcing Antequera into several rushed clearances. The visitors, though, were organised in a compact mid-block and looked dangerous whenever they could turn defence into attack quickly. The game developed into a contest between Castilla’s possession and Antequera’s discipline, and the scoreline reflected how little either side was willing to give away without a fight.

With six goals shared across the evening’s pattern of play, the match was never comfortably controlled by either team. Castilla had the better of the ball and the greater number of entries into the final third, but Antequera’s equalisers kept the home crowd anxious until the closing stages.

Key moments

• 12th minute: Castilla took the lead after a high turnover, moving the ball quickly from right to left before a low finish beat the Antequera goalkeeper.
• 27th minute: Antequera responded from a set piece, sending a dangerous delivery into the box and converting at the second attempt.
• 41st minute: Castilla regained the advantage when a midfield runner arrived late to meet a cut-back inside the area.
• 58th minute: Antequera equalised again, breaking down the right and finishing calmly after a quick transition.
• 84th minute: Castilla found the winner, with a substitute forward reacting first to a loose ball and firing through a crowded penalty area.

Tactical story

Castilla’s 4-3-3 shape was built around quick circulation and aggressive counter-pressing. The midfield trio looked to win the ball back immediately after losses, and that approach created the opening goal. The trade-off was that Castilla occasionally left space behind their full-backs, which Antequera targeted well on the break. Antequera’s 4-4-2 mid-block was compact through the middle but vulnerable in wide areas, and Castilla’s best moments came when they switched play quickly.

The visitors deserved credit for their resilience. Each time Castilla threatened to pull away, Antequera found a response, largely through direct running and set-piece quality. In the end, though, Castilla’s greater attacking depth told, especially after fresh legs arrived from the bench in the second half.

Standout performers

Castilla’s No. 8 was the game’s most influential midfielder, linking play and setting the tempo during long spells of possession. The home side’s substitute forward made the decisive contribution with the late winner, while the goalkeeper produced a crucial save at 2-2 to keep the score level. For Antequera, the centre-forward led the line tirelessly and was involved in both goals, while the right winger caused persistent problems with his direct running.

Season impact

The win gives Castilla momentum and reinforces their reputation as one of the more watchable sides in the division, though the defensive lapses will give the coaching staff plenty to review. Antequera leave with nothing despite a committed performance, and the manner of the late defeat will sting. Over the course of the season, however, their organisation and attacking transitions suggest they will remain competitive in the Primera División RFEF.