Real Oviedo win the Asturian derby 2-0 against Sporting

Real Oviedo won the Asturian derby 2-0 against Sporting at the Carlos Tartiere. Chris Ramos and then Enzo Pérez, an academy product aged 17, secured the three points for Julián Calero’s team, who had not won this fixture since December 2022.

The atmosphere had set the tone even before kick-off. Oviedo supporters took to the streets to welcome their team bus, while Santi Cazorla, retired since last June, cheered on his side like any other fan. Inside the stadium, both sets of supporters sang the anthem of the Principality of Asturias at full voice.

Roared on by their crowd, Oviedo quickly took the initiative. Pablo Sáenz first forced Rubén Yáñez into a two-stage save from a shot on the right in the 7th minute. A minute later, Escandell sent a long ball forward, Corredera flicked it on and Chris Ramos got ahead of Pablo Vázquez before finishing past Sporting’s goalkeeper. The scorer was unable to celebrate, however: after a heavy collision with Yáñez in the move, he left the match on a stretcher.

The opening stages were then marked by high tension and little football, with both teams looking to stamp their authority. Sporting came close to equalising in the 26th minute when Manu Rodríguez finished off a fine combination, but his effort skimmed the top corner.

The second half began in total disorder, with no real midfield. The opening passages resembled an exchange of attacks, without either side finding the precision required to score. Once the game settled, Sporting had more of the ball and came close to levelling, but Escandell produced a spectacular save with his opposite hand from Gaspi’s long-range strike. An effort that looked set to become a superb goal turned into a decisive save.

Sporting were then reduced to ten men in the 76th minute after Gelabert, who arrived very late and very high on an Oviedo player, was sent off. Andrés Fuentes had initially shown a yellow card before consulting the video assistant and changing it to a straight red.

With the numerical advantage, Oviedo sealed the win through Enzo Pérez. The young player struck a bouncing ball from inside the area to beat Yáñez and make it 2-0, on a day he will remember for the rest of his life. In stoppage time, Víctor Mingo also had a chance to extend the lead, but his header hit the post.

Nearly 30,000 spectators attended the derby at the Carlos Tartiere. After the final whistle, they remained in the stands with scarves held aloft, celebrating to Melendi’s unofficial anthem, “Volveremos”.