David Cubillas relives Castellón 4-3 Dépor epic, rain and a goal that felt unreal | OneFootball

Under a downpour on 11 June 2023, David Cubillas and Castellón lived a surreal 4-3 against Deportivo de la Coruña in the play-off semi-final second leg. The rain, he says, jolted him from a trance as a wild night unfolded.

Speaking to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the 35-year-old Tarazona striker recalls thinking it might all be a dream. He still replays the match, sometimes only extra time, comparing it to a film you would struggle to believe.

Castellón flew out, wiping out Riazor’s 1-0 inside roughly 20 minutes. De Miguel struck first, then Jeremy de León made it 2-0.

From 2-0 it became 2-2. Lucas Pérez set up Yeremay for 2-1, then won and converted a penalty to level. With Castellón facing elimination, Iago Indias unleashed a swerving hit that clipped a defender and the post.

Deep into stoppage time, Manu Sánchez earned a penalty and saw Ian Mackay sent off, only for Pablo Hernández to shoot wide. In extra time, Rudé urged his players to enjoy Castalia and the moment, a talk Cubillas believes reset the mood as they pushed on and went through.

Cubillas also highlights Hernández’s leadership after the miss, dropping deep and drawing fouls. Dépor equalised again in extra time, yet Hernández’s corner in the 108th minute found Cubillas, who anticipated the loop and guided in the winner. He finished bloodied after a collision and calls it his favourite, a liberating moment.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo