Port Vale vs Real Murcia

Port Vale took the lead just before half-time when Byers picked out Gabriel with a precise pass, and the full-back made no mistake to beat the Real Murcia goalkeeper. It was Gabriel's first goal of pre-season and came at a crucial moment, with the deadlock broken on the stroke of the interval.

Real Murcia, playing their first pre-season fixture under new manager Sergi Guilló, grew into the contest after a hydration break in the first half. Meca came closest for the Spanish side after a driving run from Mounir down the left flank, but the score remained 1-0 at the break.

Guilló changed his entire outfield XI at half-time — only Eloy Sánchez remained on the pitch — introducing new signings Chema Núñez and Javi Moreno alongside several academy players. The second-half XI looked sharper, with Javi Moreno and Kayode both spurning clear chances to equalise in the early stages of the second period.

Jackson Smith was alert in the Port Vale goal when called upon, and substitute Oli Lynch was denied a late second for the Valiants.

Gabriel's goal on the stroke of half-time was decisive. The timing — 45th minute, right before the break — meant Real Murcia entered the dressing room trailing rather than level after a first half in which they had improved as it wore on. The Spanish side's second-half resurgence ultimately lacked the cutting edge to find an equaliser.

The match was punctuated by a series of robust challenges, with Port Vale's social media accounts criticising the Spanish side's approach. One challenge was described as "disgusting" as tempers flared, according to reports from the fixture. The referee reached for his yellow card nine times across the 90 minutes, with Real Murcia's Joan Rojas and Eloy Sánchez among those booked.

Jordan Gabriel — Scored the decisive goal with a well-taken finish and was a threat down the right flank before being substituted.

George Byers — Provided the assist of the night with a perfectly weighted through ball that sliced open the Real Murcia defence. The midfielder is building sharpness ahead of the League Two campaign.

Jackson Smith — Made several important saves in the second half to preserve the clean sheet as Real Murcia pressed for an equaliser.

Sergi Guilló's second-half XI — The wholesale changes injected life into Real Murcia's performance, with Javi Moreno and Kayode both going close. The Spanish side's fitness levels will improve as pre-season progresses.

The match statistics, while limited in a pre-season friendly context, hint at the pattern. Port Vale's goal came from their first real period of sustained pressure, capitalising on a moment of quality from Byers and Gabriel. Real Murcia's second-half improvement — reflected in several clear chances — suggests they will be the sharper side once match fitness builds. The nine yellow cards, however, are unusually high for a pre-season friendly and underscore the fractious nature of the contest.

Port Vale continue their pre-season preparations with a 100% record on Spanish soil after following up a 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth U21s with this win. Jon Brady's side have now played three pre-season friendlies — a 5-0 win over Tamworth, a 3-1 win at Wigan Athletic, and this result — ahead of their next test against Blackpool on 1 August 2026.

For Real Murcia, this was the first run-out of their 2026-27 pre-season under Sergi Guilló. The Primera Federación side face Eldense next, also on 1 August, as they build towards competitive action.

A pre-season friendly that had more needle than most. Port Vale's physicality and organisation gave them the edge, while Real Murcia showed flashes of promise in the second half but lacked the final ball. Gabriel's finish was the quality moment that decided it — a reminder that individual moments can settle even the quietest of summer friendlies.

Player of the match: Jordan Gabriel (Port Vale)