Jimbee Cartagena 4-3 FC Barcelona: Honourable defeat
Cruel defeat for Barça 4-3 away at league champions Jimbee Cartagena as they came from behind to level things up on no less than three occasions before a controversial late red card allowed the home side to grab the winner.
The game between the two finalists from last season's league play-offs did not disappoint. Chances came and went for both teams before Tomaz put Cartagena ahead on 6 minutes, however, Barça struck back almost immediately through Pol Pacheco to make it 1-1.
The goals kept coming and on 9 minutes Cartagena retook the lead when Waltinho scored at the near post from a corner. Inevitably, the pace dropped after the early strikes from both sides and Barça began to find their rhythm in possession. Pacheco hit the post twice before Pito finally grabbed the equaliser just before half time to make it 2-2 at the break.
In the second half Javi Rodríguez's team started the better and the blaugranes had chances to take the lead but neither João Víctor nor Gauna were able to convert their opportunities. Punishment came when Gon Castejón made it 3-2 to the home side on 34 minutes. Just when Barça appeared Antonio scored a brilliant goal to make it 3-3 with the blaugranes seemingly guaranteed a point.
With little over 90 seconds remaining, however, Antonio was shown a second yellow card and a man down the blaugranes saw Motta make it 4-3 to Cartagena. An honourable defeat for Javi Rodríguez's team who are back in action next Saturday against Viña Albali Valdepeñas.
MATCH STATS
Cartagena: 4
Barça: 3
Cartagena: Chemi, Darío Gil, Waltinho, Mellado and Tomaz - cinco inicial - Ginés, Juninho, Gon Castejón, Cortés, Motta, Jesús Izquierdo and Osamanmusa.
Barça: Miquel Feixas, Antonio, Gauna, Pol Pacheco and Pito - starting five - Dídac, Matheus, Joao Víctor, Adolfo, Tourñe, Martel, Erick and Fits.
Goals: 1-0, Tomaz (min. 6); 1-1, Pol Pacheco (min. 8); 2-1, Waltinho (min. 9); 2-2, Pito (min. 20); 3-2, Gon Castejón (min. 34); 3-3, Antonio (min. 36); 4-3, Motta (min. 39).