Sergio Lozano has returned, giving Spain the leader every World Cup-contending team needs. After 533 days, the “Buffalo” made his international comeback. We had to wait until the national team’s third friendly on their road to Uzbekistan. Though he warmed up in Rabat, Lozano didn’t play against Morocco. His return was finally set in A Malata, where he started as Spain cruised to a 5-1 victory over Hungary, with Adolfo Fernández shining. Ferrol paid tribute to two Galician legends, Adri Martínez Vara and Adrian Alonso Pereira (Pola), who celebrated Lozano’s return with joy. Both witnessed that Fede Vidal’s tactics remain unchanged since the 2021 World Cup in Lithuania: high defensive pressure, constant movement, the non-negotiable 4-0, and a focus on strategy. Vidal has nothing to hide in scouting, countering the trend of holding World Cup preparation matches behind closed doors.
The scoring opened in the 9th minute with a set piece. Catela, assisted by Antonio Pérez, sent a left-footed shot past the Hungarian goalkeeper. Three minutes later, Mellado’s defensive recovery led to a second goal, as the left-footed winger from Jimbee Cartagena calmly finished against Alasztics.
While Paniagua returned to Peñíscola after his call-up, Javi Mínguez continues to push for a last-minute spot in the Uzbekistan World Cup squad. Movistar Inter’s new signing impressed, but Cortés stood out the most, consistently driving forward whether cutting inside or out. Doubt knew what they were signing up for, and Cartagena will enjoy the Andalusian’s talent.
the match
Neither captain Raúl Campos nor Jesús Gordillo (who recently lost his grandfather) could play due to physical issues. With Vidal’s preference against a 3-1 formation, the absence of the Toledo pivot shaped the game plan, but it also allowed Adolfo to return to his attacking roots. Once a killer in Santa Coloma, at the Palau, surrounded by stars, he was often made to run. But today, he redeemed himself with two goals.
The 3-0 goal came after a brilliant play by Sergio Lozano, who set up the Coloma player to finish. Hungary, under Almería’s Sergio Mullor, got on the scoreboard in the 27th minute through Fekete, and continued to defend fiercely. Vidal rotated his quintets, and Javi Mínguez kept showing his skills, although the match lacked daring from the left-footers (Catela and Cecilio).
Antonio Pérez scored the 4-1, showcasing his potential as a future star, although for now, he is learning under the guidance of veterans Boyis and Tomaz. The match concluded with a masterpiece from Adolfo Fernández, who sent a left-footed shot into the top corner. Known for sacrificing himself for the team, the right-footed forward—not a tight end as some say—proved that, besides creating space, he’s also a top-class finisher.