Racing de Santander achieved a resounding victory in the first round of the Copa del Rey after the entry of Villalibre at half-time, who scored two goals that sealed the victory against Ribadesella in Oreyana. The final result was 2‑0 in favor of the locals, a figure that will allow them to advance to the next phase and give coach José Alberto López a rest before their next match with Real Madrid at El Sardinero.
The match began with a Ribadesella team that, despite being an Asturian Preferente team, showed organization and discipline that maintained the tie during the first half. Coach Íñigo Cortés, professor of Physics and Chemistry, opted for a scheme that allowed him to close spaces and control the pace of the match. Throughout the 45 minutes, Racing dominated the game but failed to convert its superiority into goals, with attempts by Jorge Castellanos and a shot by Arana that was lost in the air.
At halftime, José Alberto López made a decisive change, introducing striker Villalibre to replace Arana. The new signing was immediate, scoring the first goal of the game in the 47th minute after a quick throw-in by Iker Luque and a cross that defender Toyos could not stop. Villalibre's entry also opened the door to a second goal shortly after, when the striker, with a left-footed shot, overcame the Ribades defense and made the score 2‑0.
The second goal came in the 62nd minute when Jorge Salinas, who had entered the team in the first half, launched a lateral cross that Villalibre headed with precision. With the score secured, Racing maintained possession and controlled the pace of the game, preventing Ribadesella from being able to come back. Referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias called some fouls, but the match took place without major incidents.
The result leaves Racing with the necessary peace of mind before their next match against Real Madrid and allows them to evaluate their players in a high-level competition. For its part, Ribadesella, despite the defeat, showed a performance worthy of its history and will be able to reflect on the tactical and personnel decisions made by coach José Alberto López. The next step for Racing will be to prepare for the next phase of the Copa del Rey, where they will face a higher category rival.