CD Izarra battle past MRA Navarra in 2-1 Tercera División RFEF win

CD Izarra secured a valuable 2-1 home victory over MRA Navarra in the Spanish Tercera División RFEF on Saturday, October 10, 2026. In a Navarra derby with plenty at stake, Izarra’s sharper finishing and better control of midfield proved decisive, even though MRA Navarra fought back to level the scores in the second half.

The win boosts CD Izarra’s position in the standings and adds another important result to their strong home record. MRA Navarra, meanwhile, remain in a difficult part of the table and will be frustrated that their improved second-half display did not yield at least a draw.

Match overview

CD Izarra started brightly and took the lead in the 18th minute through Iker Aguirre, who finished calmly after a quick exchange on the edge of the box. The home side controlled the tempo for much of the first half, moving the ball patiently and forcing MRA Navarra to defend deep. MRA’s best moment before the break came from a free-kick that narrowly missed the target.

MRA Navarra responded well after half-time and equalised in the 55th minute when Pablo Arribas converted a well-placed cross. The goal changed the mood of the match, but Izarra regained their composure and found the winner in the 74th minute. Mario Hualde arrived late in the box to turn home a low delivery, sparking celebrations among the home supporters.

Key moments

• 18th minute: Iker Aguirre gives CD Izarra the lead with a composed finish.
• 39th minute: MRA Navarra’s free-kick clips the outside of the post.
• 55th minute: Pablo Arribas equalises for MRA Navarra.
• 68th minute: Izarra goalkeeper makes a strong save to deny a counter-attack.
• 74th minute: Mario Hualde scores the winning goal for CD Izarra.
• 90+2 minutes: MRA Navarra send a late header over the bar.

The final exchanges were frantic as MRA Navarra searched for a second equaliser. They won several corners and pumped long balls into the box, but Izarra’s defence stood tall. The home side managed the closing minutes intelligently, keeping possession near the corners and slowing the game down.

Tactical story

CD Izarra lined up in a 4-4-2 formation and looked to dominate through their central midfield pair. They pressed MRA Navarra’s deep-lying playmaker and forced turnovers in dangerous areas. The opening goal came from exactly that kind of pressure, with a quick turnover leading to a neat finish.

MRA Navarra adjusted after the break, switching to a 3-5-2 to get more numbers in midfield and pushing their wing-backs higher. That change helped them equalise, but it also left space behind the defence. Izarra exploited that space for the winner, with Hualde’s late run catching MRA’s back three out of shape.

Standout players

Mario Hualde was the hero for CD Izarra, not only for the winning goal but for his all-round midfield display. Iker Aguirre also impressed with his movement and finishing, while centre-back Sergio Lasa made several crucial clearances.

For MRA Navarra, Pablo Arribas took his goal well and was a constant threat on the break. Goalkeeper Adrián Goñi kept his side in the match with two important saves, but the visitors were ultimately undone by a momentary lapse in concentration.

Tercera División RFEF table impact

The victory moves CD Izarra into a more comfortable position in the Tercera División RFEF table, keeping them within reach of the promotion playoff places. MRA Navarra remain near the bottom, and although their second-half performance offered encouragement, they still need to turn draws and narrow defeats into wins.

For Izarra, the win is another sign that they can handle the pressure of local derbies and grind out results when the game becomes scrappy. For MRA, the focus will be on defensive concentration for the full 90 minutes.