Cadiz vs Cordoba

The first half at El Palmar was a cagey affair, with Córdoba enjoying the better of the possession and territory but lacking the final touch. Left-backs Kevin Medina and Ignasi Vilarrasa delivered dangerous crosses from the flank, but Ibai Sanz could not convert the chances that came his way. Cádiz's first real opportunity arrived in the 35th minute when Iker Recio headed a free kick over the bar.

The teams went into the break at 0-0, with Córdoba having been the more threatening side without finding a way past Cádiz goalkeeper Jonquieta.

Ivan Ania made a goalkeeper change at half-time, replacing Guilherme Fernández with Iker Álvarez for the second period. Cádiz came out with more intent, and Borja Vázquez drove forward from left-back in the 55th minute but ran out of space.

The decisive moment came in the 60th minute when Ania made nine substitutions, introducing Egoitz, Juan Gutiérrez, Rubén Alves, Tasende, Eder, Diarra, Víctor, Carracedo and Diego Bri. The changes shifted Córdoba's attacking threat to the right flank, with Carracedo immediately becoming a nuisance.

Carracedo had a one-on-one chance in the 80th minute after a turnover, but the Cádiz goalkeeper saved his shot. Just five minutes later, Carracedo delivered a pinpoint cross from the right wing, and Diego Bri rose highest at the far post to power a header past the keeper and break the deadlock.

Ania's nine-man substitution in the 60th minute fundamentally changed the shape of the game. Córdoba had been dangerous from the left through Medina and Vilarrasa in the first half, but the introduction of Carracedo on the right, alongside Diarra and Egoitz, created a new attacking dimension. Carracedo was at the heart of everything — his 80th-minute chance foreshadowed his 85th-minute assist that decided the match.

• Diego Bri (Córdoba) — The match-winner. His far-post header in the 85th minute was a perfectly timed run and finish, redirecting Carracedo's cross beyond the reach of the Cádiz goalkeeper.

• Carracedo (Córdoba) — Transformed the game after coming on at the hour mark. His cross for the goal was inch-perfect, and he had also forced a save from the Cádiz goalkeeper five minutes earlier.

• Kevin Medina (Córdoba) — A constant threat from left-back in the first half, delivering dangerous crosses that Córdoba could not quite convert.

Player of the match: Diego Bri — scored the only goal with a late header to secure Córdoba's first pre-season win.

Córdoba's territorial dominance — reflected in higher possession and more sustained pressure — did not translate to a first-half lead, but the underlying control was clear. The 60th-minute changes injected fresh energy and shifted the attacking emphasis from left to right, which ultimately unlocked the Cádiz defence. Cádiz, who had kept a clean sheet against Leicester City in their previous friendly (0-1 loss), were organised defensively for 85 minutes but could not withstand the sustained pressure after the flurry of substitutions.

For Córdoba, this is a significant step forward in pre-season. After a 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates and a 0-0 against Sevilla, Iván Ania's side have their first win — and it came against a team from their own division (Segunda División). The performance, particularly the effective use of squad depth via nine simultaneous changes, will encourage the coaching staff.

For Cádiz, this was their fourth pre-season fixture under Imanol Idiakez, following a 7-0 win over Barbate, a 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates, and a 0-1 loss to Leicester City. The scoreline flattered Cádiz's defensive solidity for much of the match, but the lack of attacking threat in the final third will be a concern with the competitive season approaching.

Cádiz continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026/27 Segunda División campaign. Córdoba also turn their focus to their next friendly fixture as they build towards the new season.

A deserved win for Córdoba, who controlled the game from start to finish and found a late breakthrough through a well-worked goal. Ania's bold tactical changes paid off, while Cádiz — organised but toothless — will need more cutting edge before the real action begins.