CD Azuaga Come From Behind to Beat Zafra 2-1 in Tercera División RFEF

CD Azuaga produced a composed away performance to beat Zafra 2-1 in the Tercera División RFEF on 25 October 2026, turning a first-half deficit into a valuable three points at the Municipal de Zafra.

The match pitted two Extremadura sides against each other in Group 14 of Spain’s fourth tier, and it delivered the kind of tight, competitive contest that has become typical of the division. Zafra started with energy and fed off their home support, but Azuaga stayed calm after conceding early and gradually took control of the midfield. The visitors’ reward arrived before half-time through Manu Cordero, and Javi Pantoja’s second-half header completed the comeback.

For Azuaga, the result is a meaningful one in the early-season race for promotion playoff places. For Zafra, it was a frustrating afternoon: the home side showed spells of quality but could not turn their late pressure into an equaliser.

Match overview

Zafra began the game on the front foot, pressing high and forcing Azuaga into several hurried clearances. The home side’s best work came down the flanks, with Dani Pardo causing problems with his direct running and delivery. That early pressure paid off in the 17th minute when Zafra took the lead from a corner.

Azuaga responded well rather than folding. The visitors slowed the tempo, kept possession through midfield and began to find space between Zafra’s defensive lines. Their equaliser arrived seven minutes before the break, and from that point the game settled into a more balanced contest. The second half was tighter, but Azuaga’s greater cutting edge in the final third proved decisive.

Key moments

• 17th minute — Zafra take the lead: Dani Pardo’s corner from the right was flicked on at the near post, and Rubén Sánchez reacted quickest to poke the ball home from close range.
• 38th minute — Azuaga equalise: Manu Cordero collected the ball on the edge of the area, shifted onto his left foot and curled a low strike beyond Diego Barrero.
• 67th minute — Azuaga score the winner: Álvaro Cortés delivered a deep free kick from the left, and Javi Pantoja met it with a powerful header at the back post.
• 84th minute — Zafra push for a leveller: Pardo’s dipping free kick forced a smart save from the Azuaga goalkeeper as the home side pressed for a late equaliser.

Tactical story

Zafra set up in a 4-2-3-1 shape and looked to win the ball back quickly in Azuaga’s half. The approach worked early on, but it also left space behind the home midfield once Azuaga managed to break the first line of pressure. Azuaga’s 4-4-2 block became more compact as the first half progressed, and their wide midfielders began to pin Zafra’s full-backs deeper.

After the break, Azuaga adjusted slightly by pushing one midfielder higher to support the front two. That change allowed them to sustain attacks for longer and forced Zafra to defend more deeply. The winner came from a set piece, but it was built on the visitors’ growing control of the game. Zafra’s late switch to a more direct approach created a few half-chances, but Azuaga defended their box well in the final minutes.

Standout performers

Álvaro Cortés was central to Azuaga’s comeback, setting the tempo in midfield and providing the assist for the winning goal. Manu Cordero’s equaliser was the moment of the match from a technical standpoint, while Javi Pantoja’s aerial presence gave the visitors a reliable outlet in both boxes. For Zafra, Rubén Sánchez took his goal well and Dani Pardo was the home side’s most consistent attacking threat, especially from set pieces.

Diego Barrero also deserves credit in the Zafra goal. He made several important saves to keep the scoreline at 2-1 and gave his side a chance to push for a draw in the closing stages.

What the result means

The win strengthens CD Azuaga’s position in the Tercera División RFEF Group 14 standings and keeps them in the conversation for the promotion playoff places. Away victories against local rivals are often worth more than just three points, and this performance underlined Azuaga’s ability to respond to adversity.

Zafra, meanwhile, remain in search of consistency on home soil. Their early lead showed what they can do when their pressing game clicks, but the inability to protect that advantage will be a concern. The Tercera División RFEF is a demanding division where fine margins decide promotion races, and both sides will know that the lessons from this match could matter deeply by the end of the season.