Castellón 3-2 Granada CF: Segunda División 2025-26 match report

Castellón secured a high-scoring 3–2 victory over Granada CF at the Estadio Municipal de Castalia on Tuesday, in a Segunda División encounter defined by defensive lapses and clinical transitions. Under the guidance of Pablo Hernandez, Castellón utilized a disciplined 4-4-2 formation to exploit the spaces left by Pacheta’s 3-4-3 setup, ultimately holding firm despite a late surge from the visitors.

The opening exchanges

The match began with a tactical stalemate, but the momentum shifted decisively toward the hosts midway through the first half. Ousmane Camara broke the deadlock in the 30th minute, finishing a well-constructed move initiated by an assist from P. Santiago. The goal appeared to unsettle the Granada backline, which struggled to regain its composure.

Just three minutes after the opener, Granada’s Pablo Sáenz received a yellow card, signaling the mounting frustration within the visiting ranks. The pressure culminated in a costly error for the visitors in the 35th minute, when F. Brignani inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. The own goal provided Castellón with a two-goal cushion, a lead they further extended in the 42nd minute. Barri capitalized on another assist from P. Santiago to put the hosts 3-0 ahead before the halftime whistle, leaving Pacheta with significant tactical questions to address during the interval.

The decisive moment

The second half began with an unexpected reversal of roles. F. Brignani, having scored an own goal earlier in the contest, redeemed himself in the 53rd minute by finding the back of the net for Castellón to seemingly put the game out of reach at 3-1. However, the intensity of the match remained high, punctuated by a yellow card for Granada’s O. Naasei in the 49th minute and a booking for P. Santiago shortly after.

Pacheta attempted to salvage the result with a flurry of substitutions just before the hour mark, introducing Pablo Sáenz and Álvaro Lemos. The tactical adjustments began to yield results when Granada earned a penalty in the 63rd minute. Jorge Pascual stepped up to convert the spot-kick, narrowing the deficit to 3-2.

The final half-hour saw both managers utilize their benches extensively to manage fatigue and tactical shape. Castellón introduced fresh legs in A. Jakobsen and Martín Conde, while Granada looked to force an equalizer by bringing on Pedro Alemañ and B. Diallo. Despite the increased pressure from Granada and a late yellow card for I. Gonzalez in stoppage time, the Castellón defense managed to neutralize the visitors' late attacking waves. The hosts successfully managed the closing minutes, securing all three points in a match that highlighted both their offensive efficiency and the defensive vulnerabilities present on both sides.

Looking ahead

For Castellón, the victory serves as a vital affirmation of their tactical approach under Pablo Hernandez, providing momentum as they look to solidify their position in the league table. Conversely, Granada CF will need to address the defensive instability that allowed three goals in the first half, as they look to regain consistency in the final stretch of the season.