Why the football world is hailing Cala (Castellón) | OneFootball

CD Castellón ended matchday 22 of Liga Hypermotion second on 38 points, their best second-tier position since October 1992. They sit three points behind leaders Racing de Santander.

Friday's 2-0 win over CD Leganés, coupled with Almería's 1-2 defeat and Las Palmas' 4-1 loss, lifted them to second, level with Las Palmas but ahead on goal difference. The club last led the division in matchday seven of 1992/93 on 11 points, tied with UE Lleida and Racing, before finishing 10th.

They have not played in Primera since relegation in summer 1991, and this campaign is their closest to a return. As reported by El Periódico Mediterráneo, their progression under Pablo Hernández has crystallised in January 2026 amid a demanding schedule and winter window tweaks.

One of the standout figures is Álex Calatrava, nominated for January's player of the month alongside Mario Soriano of RC Deportivo de A Coruña and Chupe of Málaga.

He struck and set up goals in the 4-1 win over SD Huesca, impressed in the 0-0 at Granada CF at Nuevo Los Cármenes, then shaped the Leganés game. He first saw a finish ruled out for an offside by Ousmane Camara that replays did not clearly show, then won the penalty for the clincher, converted by Isra Suero.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo