Cadiz move clear of relegation with big victory over Real Valladolid
Despite coming into the game on the back of four successive defeats, a run which has significantly increased the possibility of an immediate return to the Spanish second tier, the visitors began authoritatively, testing Jeremias Ledesma almost immediately from kick-off when Club Brugge loanee Cyle Larin fired straight at the Cadiz goalkeeper from distance.
The hosts, meanwhile, had been on a two-game losing streak prior to kick-off, although both losses came away from home, but they weren’t without their chances either.
Chris Ramos went close to haunting his former employers, but his glancing header landed on top, rather than in, the net.
The former Valladolid striker was then fouled in the penalty area by Jawad El Yamiq’s clumsy challenge and, following a painstaking VAR review, a spot-kick was awarded.
However, another former Pucelanos player, Ruben Alcaraz, could not take advantage of the opportunity, smashing his effort from 12 yards against the crossbar.
Both sides brought on fresh faces at the interval in an attempt to find a breakthrough, but neither goalkeeper was tested throughout the opening 15 minutes.
Nonetheless, the second half’s first chance led to the game’s opening goal, as Cadiz’s Theo Bongonda unleashed a spectacular effort from the edge of the box that flew past Jordi Masip and into the top corner, via the woodwork.
With just under a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, Javi Sanchez’s foul on half-time substitute Anthony Lozano gave the home side another chance to score from a penalty and, on this occasion, Bongonda made no mistake to double his side’s lead.
With the game slipping from Valladolid’s grasp and frustrations rising, Martin Hongla saw red both literally and metaphorically as he elbowed Lozano in the face.
It ended up being an easy night for Cadiz, and they now have breathing space in their bid for survival. Meanwhile, Valladolid remain only one point clear of safety, and could now drop into the bottom three if Getafe defeat already-relegated Elche tomorrow evening.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Theo Bongonda (Cadiz)