Atletico Madrid B blow a 4-2 lead in the 97th minute and draw 4-4 with Real Zaragoza

Atletico Madrid B and Real Zaragoza played out a 4-4 draw at the Ciudad Deportiva de Alcala that was settled in stoppage time. The reserve side led 4-2 in the 97th minute, but paid for their inexperience against an opponent that never stopped believing and rescued a point with a penalty converted in the 110th minute. Fernando Torres watched from the touchline as his team came close to a prestigious win against the big favorite for promotion in the Primera Federacion.

• Atletico Madrid B took the lead three times and reached 4-2 in the 97th minute.
• A needless penalty from Taufyk in the 110th minute allowed Jardi to make it 4-4.
• Romeo Hueso shone on the right wing and Domenech scored his first goal since the opening matchday.
• Real Zaragoza equalized through goals from Espiau, Iranzo, Rubo and Jardi.
• The match featured 30 total shots between the two teams.

A fast start: Romeo Hueso and Kamate punish Real Zaragoza early

The home side came out with a high press and plenty of enthusiasm, looking to surprise a Real Zaragoza side that wanted to impose its hierarchy from the first minute. The right wing became Atletico Madrid B's main attacking weapon. Romeo Hueso and Kamate combined with intelligence and speed, and before ten minutes had passed they had already produced the first blow. A through ball from the Spaniard left the Frenchman inside the box, and he beat Westerveld with a low shot.

The goal forced the Aragonese side to react, and they started creating chances through Urena and Espiau. Espiau in particular became a constant nightmare for the home defense. In the 22nd minute, the striker turned inside the box after a pass from Jamelli, took advantage of Miguel Gil's slip and unleashed a powerful shot to level the score.

Antal's injury and Astralaga's penalty save shape the second half

The start of the second half brought bad news for Fernando Torres. Antal picked up an injury and his place was taken by Polish player Lis, who made his debut for the reserve team. Real Zaragoza came close to taking the lead with a double chance from Jardi and Pereira, but the ball somehow stayed out.

Atletico Madrid B's response was immediate, once again down the right wing. Romeo Hueso produced a spectacular run and delivered the ball into the heart of the area. Domenech got in front of his marker and fired an unstoppable right-footed shot to make it 2-1. The Mallorcan made up for the one-on-one he had missed in the first half and ended a scoring drought that had lasted since the opening matchday.

From 4-2 to disaster: Atletico Madrid B lose their lead in stoppage time

The match entered a phase of trading blows. In the 62nd minute, a soft penalty from David Garcia on Jamelli could have changed the script, but Astralaga denied it with an outstanding full-stretch save. The joy was short-lived: six minutes later, Espiau set up Iranzo for the 2-2.

Atletico Madrid B responded with an astonishing finish. Miguel Gil headed in a corner to make amends for the slip that had led to the 1-1 goal, and Daniel Munoz made it 4-2 after a lengthy Video Support review, tapping in a shot from Cubo that had come back off the post. With ten minutes of stoppage time ahead, the reserve side had the win in their hands.

However, in the final three minutes Torres' team conceded twice. Rubo pulled one back with a well-placed header, and Taufyk, with a completely unnecessary challenge in the 110th minute, gave away a penalty that earned him a second yellow card. Jardi made no mistake and sealed the final 4-4. Atletico Madrid B let a victory slip away that had seemed all but secured.

What Atletico Madrid B and Real Zaragoza are playing for in the Primera Federacion

Real Zaragoza arrived in Alcala as the leading candidate for direct promotion in Group 1 of the Primera Federacion. Taking a point in such a difficult away fixture keeps them in the fight for first place, even though the draw feels like a disappointment for a team that expects to dominate the division.

For Atletico Madrid B, who came into the match on the back of two straight defeats, this point highlights their attacking potential but also their fragility in decisive moments. Fernando Torres is working to consolidate a young group that competes toe-to-toe with the best, even though inexperience is costing them valuable points in finishes like this one.