Deportivo La Coruna
Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 Osasuna: La Liga Drama at Riazor
Deportivo La Coruna snatched a 2-1 victory over Osasuna in La Liga’s 11th round with Bil Nsongo’s 87th-minute winner sending Riazor into raptures. What began as a night of frustration erupted into unbridled joy as the hosts overturned Ante Budimir’s first-half opener through Mario Soriano and Nsongo’s late magic.
Osasuna’s Early Control Crumbles
For 35 minutes, Osasuna executed their smash-and-grab plan to perfection. Moi Gómez’s floated cross found Budimir peeling away at the far post in the 32nd minute, the Croatian’s deft header nestling inside the left upright. The assist-maker turned villain moments later with a clumsy yellow card, but Osasuna’s compact 4-3-3 soaked up Deportivo’s 62% possession comfortably until halftime.
Deportivo’s 14 first-half shots yielded just two on target, their desperation growing with every wayward effort. Peke skied a gilt-edged chance over the bar in the 43rd minute, the midfielder clutching his head as 26,000 groans echoed around the stands.
Deportivo La Coruna’s Pressure Pays Off
The introduction of Adama Traoré for Quagliata in the 56th minute injected directness down Deportivo’s left flank. Seven minutes later, Soriano announced himself – the midfielder arriving like a train to bullet Luismi Cruz’s cutback past Sergio Herrera from 12 yards. Riazor shook to its foundations as Soriano peeled away in delirium, his 64th-minute equalizer reward for Deportivo’s relentless pressure.
Osasuna’s discipline unraveled under the onslaught. Alejandro Catena’s 63rd-minute booking for hauling down Nsongo sparked a flurry of yellows – Abel Bretones and Enrique Barja joining him in the book as the visitors made five ragged second-half substitutions.
Bil Nsongo Writes the Headlines
When Nsongo gathered possession 25 yards out with three minutes remaining, few expected fireworks. The Congolese striker had misfired all night with four off-target efforts. But his dipping, swerving strike from distance left Herrera grasping at air, the net billowing as blue-and-white scarves whirled in the stands.
Osasuna’s 38% possession told the story of their retreat into their shell after halftime, mustering just one shot after the break. Deportivo’s 18 total shots and 2.39 xG reflected their dominance, Nsongo’s late heroics capping a comeback that lifts Hidalgo’s men toward mid-table safety.
For Osasuna, this was a bitter pill – leading for 52 minutes only to collapse under Deportivo’s intensity. Arrasate’s men now face a daunting run against Real Sociedad and Barcelona. As the Galician faithful sang into the night, Deportivo could dare to dream of climbing La Liga’s ladder with momentum finally behind them.
Key Moments
32′ ⚽ Osasuna — Ante Budimir (assist: Moi Gómez)
64′ ⚽ Deportivo La Coruna — Mario Soriano (assist: Luismi Cruz)
87′ ⚽ Deportivo La Coruna — Bil Nsongo
