Deportiva Minera 3-2 UD Castellonense: Late Winner Settles Segunda División RFEF Thriller

Deportiva Minera claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over UD Castellonense in the Spanish Segunda División RFEF on Sunday, 11 October 2026. In a match that swung one way and then the other, the home side found the decisive goal in the closing stages to take all three points from a fiercely competitive encounter.

The result gives Deportiva Minera a valuable boost in the league standings and leaves UD Castellonense to reflect on a spirited away performance that ultimately ended in defeat. With five goals, two lead changes and a late winner, the contest delivered everything expected from the Segunda División RFEF.

Match Overview

Kick-off at 17:30 local time brought together two sides eager to assert themselves in the middle section of the table. Deportiva Minera started with intent, pressing high and looking to use width, while UD Castellonense sat compact and looked to counter through quick transitions. The early exchanges set the tone for an open, end-to-end contest.

Minera’s midfield duo controlled the first half for long spells, but Castellonense remained dangerous whenever they broke forward. The visitors’ willingness to commit bodies into the box kept the game alive right up to the final whistle.

Key Moments

• 12th minute – Deportiva Minera 1-0: Álvaro Sánchez opened the scoring with a composed finish inside the near post after Javi Méndez cut the ball back from the right.
• 28th minute – 1-1: UD Castellonense responded through Pablo Ferrer, who struck a low effort from the edge of the box that beat the goalkeeper’s dive.
• 54th minute – 2-1: Carlos Rueda restored Minera’s lead, rising highest at the back post to head in a corner.
• 73rd minute – 2-2: Sergio Cano converted from the penalty spot after a handball was given against the home defence.
• 88th minute – 3-2: Javi Méndez grabbed the winner, curling a right-footed shot into the far corner to send the home crowd into celebration.

Tactical Story

Deportiva Minera lined up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 that became a 4-3-3 when they attacked. Their full-backs pushed high, stretching Castellonense and creating space for the wide forwards to isolate the visiting full-backs. The home side’s pressing also forced several turnovers in dangerous areas, which led directly to their first and third goals.

UD Castellonense used a disciplined 4-4-2 out of possession and tried to spring quick counterattacks through the channels. Their equaliser came from exactly that pattern: a turnover in midfield, a direct pass forward, and a well-timed run. However, they struggled to contain Minera’s set-piece threat, and the winning goal arrived when they dropped too deep in the final minutes.

Standout Players

Javi Méndez was the architect of the win, providing an assist and scoring the late decider. Álvaro Sánchez’s movement caused problems all afternoon, while Carlos Rueda’s aerial presence in both boxes proved decisive. For Castellonense, Pablo Ferrer was lively throughout and Sergio Cano showed composure from the penalty spot. Goalkeeper Iván Robles also made two important saves to keep Minera ahead before the late drama.

What the Result Means

The three points lift Deportiva Minera in the Segunda División RFEF standings and strengthen their position ahead of a demanding run of fixtures. For UD Castellonense, the defeat is a tough one to take after twice fighting back, but the performance offers encouragement. Both teams will now turn their attention to the next round, where consistency will be key in a division known for its tight margins.