Pasaia KE claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Santurtzi CD in the Spanish Tercera División RFEF on October 3, 2026, in a match that was decided by a single moment of quality in the second half. The win gives the Basque side a valuable three points in a fiercely competitive division, while Santurtzi CD were left to rue a series of missed chances in front of goal.

Match Overview

Played at the Estadio Don Bosco, the contest was typical of Tercera División RFEF football: intense, physical, and decided by fine margins. Pasaia KE set up in a disciplined 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to press high and force turnovers in the opposition half. Santurtzi CD responded with a compact 4-4-2, aiming to absorb pressure and hit on the counter-attack. The first half was evenly contested, with both sides creating half-chances but failing to find the breakthrough.

Key Moments

The decisive moment arrived in the 67th minute. After a quick turnover in midfield, Pasaia's attacking midfielder slipped a clever pass into the channel, and striker Aitor Zubeldia latched onto it before firing a low shot across the goalkeeper into the far corner. It was a goal of genuine quality and one that lifted the home crowd.

Santurtzi responded well and nearly equalised ten minutes later when their number nine rose highest from a corner, but Pasaia's goalkeeper produced a superb reflex save to deny him. In the closing stages, Santurtzi pushed more bodies forward, but the home defence stood firm, clearing several dangerous crosses and blocking a goal-bound effort in stoppage time.

Tactical Story

Pasaia KE's midfield duo controlled the tempo for long spells, winning the majority of second balls and allowing their full-backs to push forward. Santurtzi struggled to string passes together in the final third, often resorting to long balls that were comfortably dealt with by Pasaia's centre-backs. The away side's best moments came from set pieces, but a combination of poor finishing and resilient defending kept them off the scoresheet.

Standout Players

• Aitor Zubeldia (Pasaia KE): Scored the only goal with a composed finish and led the line tirelessly.
• Iker Mendizabal (Pasaia KE): The goalkeeper made three crucial saves, including a late one-on-one stop.
• Unai Aramburu (Santurtzi CD): The midfielder was his team's most creative outlet, delivering several dangerous set pieces.

Table and Season Impact

The victory lifts Pasaia KE into mid-table security and extends their unbeaten run on home soil. For Santurtzi CD, it is a frustrating result that leaves them searching for consistency in the early weeks of the campaign. With the Tercera División RFEF promotion race set to be as tight as ever, every point will matter, and Pasaia's ability to grind out narrow wins could prove decisive come May.