Almería secured a crucial victory over Cultural Leonesa on Monday, March 9, 2026, with a commanding 3-0 performance at the UD Almería Stadium. The win propels Almería into second place in the LaLiga 2 standings, firmly positioning them in contention for promotion to La Liga. The result comes after a period where Almería had been striving to break into the direct promotion places and the decisive victory provides a significant boost to their campaign.
Sergio Arribas was the star of the show, netting a brace to lead the Rojiblancos to victory. His performance underscores his growing importance to the team, and he currently leads the league with 17 goals this season – his best professional campaign to date. Thalys added a third goal to seal the win, capping off a dominant display from Almería. The team now boasts 52 points after 17 matches, marking a strong mid-season performance.
Arribas Shines as Almería Climb the Table
Arribas opened the scoring in the 7th minute, demonstrating his quality and composure. He doubled the lead in the 78th minute, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback for Cultural Leonesa. Thalys then added a final flourish in the 89th minute with a well-taken goal, completing the rout. The victory was particularly satisfying for Almería fans, who haven’t witnessed such a resounding ovation in the stadium for some time.
The win places Almería three points behind league leaders Racing de Santander, who have 56 points. They also hold a three-point advantage over both Castellón and Deportivo, who are tied on 49 points. The competitive nature of LaLiga 2 is evident in the tightly packed standings, with Las Palmas and Málaga also closely trailing with 48 points each. A full look at the current standings is available here.
Match Details and Standings
The match kicked off at 19:30 UTC at the UD Almería Stadium, as reported by Sofascore. Whereas Cultural Leonesa attempted to pose a threat, they struggled to genuinely trouble the Almería defense, led by Andrés Fernández. Rubi, Almería’s manager, emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency throughout the season, stating, “Lo importante es en la jornada 42 estar ahí” (The important thing is to be there on matchday 42), according to Diario de Almería.
Here’s a snapshot of the LaLiga 2 standings following the completion of matchday 29:
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Racing de Santander | 56 |
| 2 | UD Almería | 52 |
| 3 | Castellón | 49 |
| 4 | Deportivo | 49 |
| 5 | Las Palmas | 48 |
| 6 | Málaga | 48 |
Almería’s success is largely attributed to the form of Sergio Arribas, who is attracting attention for his potential to play in La Liga next season. His 17 goals this season have been instrumental in the team’s climb up the table.
Looking ahead, Almería will aim to build on this momentum as they continue their push for promotion. The coming weeks will be crucial as they face a challenging schedule against other teams vying for a place in the top flight. The team’s ability to maintain their current form and capitalize on opportunities will be key to achieving their goal of returning to La Liga.
What do you believe? Can Almería maintain their position and secure promotion this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
