Southampton’s Under-21s open their Premier League International Cup campaign as they host Spanish giants Real Madrid at St Mary’s.
21:06 – That’s all from us at St Mary’s this evening. Thanks for tuning in, and remember to stay up to date on the website for Southampton news and beyond.
FULL TIME – SOUTHAMPTON 1 – 1 REAL MADRID – It ends all level at full time, with Real Madrid taking the lead from substitute Thiago Pitarch in the 75th minute after a dominant 30-minute spell from La Castilla, with Saints leaving it late on to find an equaliser through Abdulhalim Okunola in what could’ve been a ‘Goalkeeper scores’ moment from Gavin Bazunu.
GOAL! Abdulhalim Okunola (’94)- This is why we love football! Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu heads up for the corner, and the ball finds his head for him to hit the crossbar and almost do the unthinkable. Luckily for him, Okunola was waiting for the rebound and had a simple tap-in for a late equaliser! SOUTHAMPTON 1 – 1 REAL MADRID
’91 – A corner late on for Southampton brings the home crowd to life, having not celebrated much all game.
ADDITIONAL TIME: 4 MINUTES
’89 BIG SAVE! – Southampton’s best chance of the game falls to number nine and substitute Baylee Dipepa, who breaks free from the Madrid defence and goes one-on-one with goalkeeper Sergio Mestre, who makes a fine through-the-leg save! Time looks to be running out for Saint’s.
’87 – Despite the recent changes for Southampton, they’re still struggling top find if not but any of the ball, with Real Madrid looking to see out the match.
ATTENDANCE AT ST MARY’S – 10,907
SUBSTITUTIONS FOR SOUTHAMPTON – OFF – 19 Barnaby Williams, 10 Romeo Akachukwu ON – 17 Thierry Rohart-Brown, 29 Sutura Kakay
GOAL! 27 Thiago Pitarch (’75) – The substitutes make the difference for Arbeloa’s side, as his side works the ball well into the feet of Pitarch, who switches to his right foot and calmly beats Bazunu to his left-hand side. You could almost feel a Real goal was coming, and they beautifully found the net through the substitute! SOUTHAMPTON 0 – 1 REAL MADRID
’72 – Substitutes are starting to combine for the Madrid club as Southampton are struggling to make it out of their half with the ball at the moment. This has definitely quietened down the home Saints’ fans, apart from the 67th minute….
SUBSTITUTIONS FOR REAL MADRID: OFF – 39 Alvaro Genis, 7 Daniel Yanez, 30 Dani Meso ON – 10 Cesar Palacios, 27 Thiago Pitarch, 8 Manuel Angel
SUBSTITUTIONS FOR SOUTHAMPTON: OFF – 15 Jay Robinson ON – 9 Baylee Dipepa
SUBSTITUTION FOR REAL MADRID: OFF – 33 Gabriel Suarez ON – 37 Alvaro Leiva
’58 – Alvaro Arbeloa’s side keep knocking on the door, now controlling the play and switching the ball with ease. Arbeloa only played against Southampton once in his career, a three-nil loss whilst at West Ham.
’55 – It’s all been Real Madrid so far this second half as they have entered the Saints’ box on five occasions in the first 10 minutes. Southampton is looking to hold on for the moment as Madrid pile on the pressure.
‘53 – SAVE! A darting run on the left side from left back Manu Serrano forces Gavin Bazunu to make his first big save of the game, parrying Serrano’s shot away from danger.
’50 – BIG CHANCE! A great chance has gone begging for Real Madrid early in the second half, as captain Bruno Iglesias receives a lovely pass from the right-hand side to his feet in the D to put his strike narrowly over the bar. Promising signs early in the second period for the Spanish side.
’46 – Southampton kick off the second half themselves now kicking left to right.
SUBSTITUTION FOR SOUTHAMPTON: OFF – 12 Nathaneal Boot ON – 20 Jake Vallace
19:54 – Southampton first team manager Will Still is sat just behind the press box here at St Mary’s, eyeing up his side’s talent in search of a Championship resurgence. Some seem to think he wasn’t full of spirits for the whole half, which may be a result of much criticism of his team’s recent performances and current place in the second division.
HALF TIME – It’s goalless at halftime by the South Coast, with Southampton having the better of the first-half chances, but with no change in the scoreline. Most fans are hoping for a better second half after the break.
YELLOW CARD: 21 Diego Aguardo
’45 – Looks like another injury for Real Madrid, as Lamini hits the turf in what looks like some discomfort. We will see if he can stay on for the remainder of the first half.
ADDED TIME – 4 MINUTES
’43 – The first half draws ever closer to its end with neither side breaking the deadlock first half. Many fans are already heading in for some warmth and the early halftime beverage.
’34 – BIG CHANCE! Southampton failed to convert after a lovely break from striker Jay Robinson, who tries to square the ball across to Nicholas Oyekunle, but the ball had just a bit too much on it. The question is can Southampton turn this pressure into a first-half goal.
YELLOW CARD: 7 Daniel Yanez
’33 – Real Winger Daniel Yanez makes a promising move into his opposition’s 18-yard box before picking up a yellow card for simulation. A clear dive from Yanez
YELLOW CARD: 30 Dani Meso
’30 – And if you’re now tuning into the game on TV, you may have been mistaken for a Coldplay concert, with flashlights lighting up the red stands of St Mary’s. Fans are trying to enjoy themselves in what has been an uneventful first half.
’28 – There are now some fans chanting ‘Let’s pretend we’ve scored a goal’, as there hasn’t been much to cheer about so far in the first half. Neither side has come close to opening the scoring so far, with just over fifteen minutes left of normal time in the first period.
’21 – Real Madrid are starting to develop into the game despite early pressure from the home side, with more of the ball in the last five minutes.
’18 – SUBSTITUTION FOR SOUTHAMPTON: OFF – 3 Max Fry ON – 28 Rory Whittaker
’15 – 15 minutes gone at St Mary’s, and the Saints have enjoyed more of the ball so far in the early exchanges, but no real chances as of yet.
’11 – Fry looks to be okay and back up on his feet at left wing as Southampton look dangerous in the last two minutes, winning another corner for Southampton in the opening 15 minutes.
‘9 – Another substitution is coming, but this time for Southampton as Max Fry goes down with an injury.
‘7 – SUBSITUTION FOR REAL MADRID: OFF – 17 Jesus Fortera ON – 5 Manu Serano
‘5 – Corner for Southampton as a great run down the left wing from Abdulhalim Okunola takes on the Madrid defence and forces a challenge from Jesus Fortera, who has been forced of through injury it seems already.
‘4 – A quiet start to the game, as it feels like both young sides are looking to gain touches in the ball and build attacks as this game progresses on.
‘1 – We’re underway at SO14 as Madrid captain Bruno Iglasies kicks off for Real, who are sporting their all-blue away strip, kicking left to right first half.
18:57 – Tensions are running high for Saint’s fans with a welcome to the Spanish side, with a group of fans demanding in a half empty stand they want their OWN seats! Fans are eager to take their seats for what should be a great 90 minutes of Football.
18:54 – Real Madrid’s lineup to face Southampton at Saint Mary’s (Credit to Cantera Real Madrid on X):
https://twitter.com/lafabricacrm/status/1983596227309559932
18:43 – Your Saints to lineup versus La Castilla Tonight (Credit – Southampton FC on X):
17:45 – Welcome to Solent Sports News coverage of Southampton Under 21s taking on Real Madrid Under 21s at St Mary’s. The kick-off is expected at 19:00 tonight. Stay tuned for updates, including Team news, previews and more!
