Universidad Católica de Murcia Club de Fútbol is in the final for the fight for promotion to LaLiga SmartBank. José María Salmerón's side beat FC Barcelona's B team in a penalty shoot-out after the score was 2-2 at the end of the second half of extra time. Goalkeeper Biel Ribas saved five penalties and Josete Malagón did not miss the decisive spot-kick. The next opponent for the university team will be known this Monday by the draw. 

In summary, the match was a match of maximum equality and a rollercoaster of emotions. In the early stages of the game, the Barcelona B team had control of the ball, but the danger came through the boots of José María Salmerón's men. The first warning came from Liberto. The winger unleashed a shot from inside the area that forced the goalkeeper to stick out a saving leg to keep out the 1-0 scoreline. Just ten minutes later, Alberto Fernández managed to put his team ahead on the scoreboard. The Murcia-born player's shot ended up in the back of the net, impossible for goalkeeper Peña to stop.

 

FC Barcelona B could have equalized with a shot from R. Manaj, but fortunately, the ball ended up hitting the poste. Before the break, Jordi Sánchez had a chance to make it 2-0, but the Barcelona goalkeeper saved his team again with a masterful intervention. 

In the second half, the match started with a non-existent penalty in favor of FC Barcelona B. The penalty was converted by R. Manaj to bring the score back to level. 

UCAM Murcia didn't lose face in the game, but they couldn't get their teammates to link up with each other easily. The university team was not comfortable and García Pimienta's men took their chance to make it 1-2. In the minute 65, Barcelona B team managed to take the lead at the Municipal Vicente Sanz. 

It was time for a comeback and it was time for the brave. Salmerón's men showed their grit and in the minute 80, Xemi Fernández appeared to make it 2-2. The Catalan goalkeeper fought a ball inside the box at the far post to put it into the back of the net. 

It was all square in extra time. Both coaches had moved their players to arrive at the final minutes of the game as fresh as possible, despite the heat on the Vicente Sanz pitch. Both teams had the chance to take the victory. On our side, Romera had the clearest chance with a shot from the edge of the area straight into the top corner. That ball did not end up in goal thanks to another intervention by goalkeeper Peña.

Everything had to be decided in a thrilling penalty shoot-out, which fortunately thanks to the safety of Biel Ribas, who saved four shots, and the safety of Josete Malagón, who scored the decisive goal for the university team to be in the final round of the playoffs for promotion to LaLiga SmartBank.