The two sides didn’t take many risks in the opening stages of the contest, and as a result, there was little in the way of goalmouth action. Abde Ezzalzouli and Ante Budimir were Osasuna’s main threats in the final third, with the former’s pace, in particular, causing problems down the left flank even if the end product was often lacking. Almería, meanwhile, struggled to string passes together in the opposing half, and their lack of ideas was evident.
The first real opening for either side came shortly before HT, as Osasuna came close to breaking the deadlock when Budimir was denied by Fernando Martínez. The hosts were undoubtedly the better side in the opening 45 minutes and monopolised possession against their sloppy opponents but failed to translate that into a lead at the interval.
The hosts, started the second period with a more attacking approach, and within minutes of the restart they were two in front. Budimir was the man who broke the deadlock, producing an excellent finish from close range after a delightful pass from Aimar Oroz, before Abde got himself on the scoresheet with an impressive solo effort, the Barcelona youngster dribbling past several opponents and unleashing a shot from outside the box that was impossible for Martinez to stop.
The hosts could’ve added a third goal when Budimir was brought down inside the box, but referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz decided against pointing to the spot despite discussing the incident with the VAR for several minutes. The Pamplona-based side eventually added another strike late in the game, though, when substitute Moi Gómez drilled an effort home from inside the box. Lázaro did pull one back for the visitors in stoppage time, but it came far too late to impact the final outcome.
The victory ends Osasuna's two-game losing streak and moves them up to ninth place in the standings - at least temporarily - meaning they remain within distance of a UEFA Europa Conference League qualification spot. As for Almería, they have now lost four of their last six and remain in danger of relegation, so other results across the weekend will be pivotal to their hopes of survival this term.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Abde Ezzalzouli (Osasuna)
