Andorra fall 3-2 to Burgos after second-half pressure goes unrewarded

Andorra lost 3-2 to Burgos on Monday in a match that produced five goals before half-time. Carles Manso’s side dominated after the break but could not draw level. The defeat adds to Andorra’s struggles at home in Encamp: it was their fourth loss in six matches there.

Burgos struck first. Andorra responded quickly: after Schneider’s effort was saved by Cantero, Lautaro collected the rebound and scored the equaliser. The sides were level for only four minutes. Left unmarked, Luengo headed in a Llabrés cross to restore the visitors’ lead.

Andorra went into the match with numerous absentees, particularly in defence, but welcomed Bomba back to partner Spatz in the centre of the back line. The game also brought protests from the stands over refereeing decisions, while Karrikaburu had to leave Burgos through injury.

Lautaro then had another goal ruled out for a prior foul. Soon afterwards, Curro converted a penalty awarded for handball by Martí Vilà to make it 3-1. Before the interval, Jordi Cano cut the deficit to 3-2 in the 43rd minute, finishing a move involving Sidibé and Lautaro.

All five goals had arrived by the time the teams returned to the dressing rooms. In the second half, Andorra pinned Burgos back and fashioned several chances to equalise. Cantero denied Carrique and Spatz in the same passage of play, then saved from Schneider. Lautaro also came close, but his first-time effort went just wide of the post.

Manso sent on Diego Díaz, Juan Sebastián, Rijkhoff and Nacho Quintana in search of solutions. His side also had to cope with injuries to Bomba and Martí Vilà. Burgos offered little going forward after the break but held firm at the back as Andorra became increasingly hurried. Sidibé was booked in the 25th minute, with Vencedor cautioned in the 88th.

Played in front of 2,153 spectators at the Nou Estadi de la FAF in Encamp, the match leaves Andorra with another home defeat and a continuing struggle to find consistency on their own ground.