Leioa and Pasaia KE played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw in a Basque derby that lived up to its billing in the Spanish Tercera División RFEF on Sunday. The match, played at the Estadio Sarriena, saw both sides cancel each other out in a tense encounter that leaves them still searching for consistency in the early weeks of the 2026-27 campaign.

Match Overview

Leioa started the brighter of the two sides, dictating the tempo with crisp passing in midfield. Their dominance paid off in the 23rd minute when Iker Aguirre latched onto a low cross from the right and slotted the ball past the Pasaia goalkeeper. The home crowd erupted, expecting their team to push on. However, Pasaia grew into the game and began to threaten on the counter. The equaliser arrived in the 67th minute when captain Mikel Etxebarria rose highest to head home a corner. Both teams had late chances to win it, but a combination of good goalkeeping and wayward finishing ensured the points were shared.

Key Moments

• 23' – Iker Aguirre opens the scoring for Leioa with a composed finish.
• 45+1' – Pasaia's striker forces a fine save from the Leioa goalkeeper.
• 67' – Mikel Etxebarria equalises with a powerful header from a corner.
• 82' – Leioa hit the post through a curling effort from outside the box.
• 90+3' – Pasaia goalkeeper denies Leioa a late winner with a point-blank save.

Tactical Analysis

Leioa set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to control possession through their midfield pivot. They pressed high in the first half, forcing Pasaia into errors. Pasaia, meanwhile, deployed a 4-4-2 and sat deeper, looking to hit on the break. After the interval, Pasaia's manager pushed his fullbacks higher, which stretched Leioa's defence and led to the equaliser. Leioa struggled to regain their first-half rhythm, and the game became a midfield battle.

Standout Players

Leioa's goalkeeper Unai Simon was instrumental, making several crucial saves, especially in the second half. Iker Aguirre was a constant threat up front, while Aitor Lopez impressed with his dribbling. For Pasaia, Mikel Etxebarria was the standout, not only for his goal but for his leadership in midfield. Defender Jon Albizu also had a solid game, keeping Leioa's wingers quiet for long spells.

League Table Impact

The draw leaves both teams in the lower half of the Tercera División RFEF Group 4 standings. Pasaia sit a point above Leioa, but both know that wins are needed to climb towards the promotion playoff places. Leioa remain unbeaten at home but have drawn too many games. Pasaia extend their unbeaten run to three matches, a positive sign for the weeks ahead.

What’s Next

Leioa will travel to face CD Basconia next weekend, while Pasaia KE host SD Beasain. Both will be looking to turn draws into victories as they aim to move up the table.