Osasuna 1 - Zaragoza 0

Osasuna: Sanzol; Cruchaga, Yanguas, Jusué; Lekumberri, Alex Fernández; Gerardo, Gancedo, Alfonso (Trzeciak 65'); Armentano (Palacios 71'), Iván Rosado (Sabino 90'). 3-2-3-2.
Zaragoza: Lainez; Rebosio, Aguado, Paco; Cuartero, Toro Acuña, José Ignacio, Vellisca (Garitano 83'); Juanele (Montenegro 74'), Jamelli (Yordi 79'); Esnaider. 3-4-2-1.

Team changes: Osasuna: Sanzol, Jusué, Alex Fernández, Alfonso, Armentano for Nuno, Vidakovic, Llorens, Palacios, Angel / Zaragoza: Rebosio, Cuartero, Esnaider for Pablo, Sundgren, Yordi.

Goals:
1-0. 69. Jusué. Blasted ball in from outside of area after Alex free kick blocked.

A magnificent strike in the second half by Spanish under 21 defender Jusué kept Osasuna in the first division for the time being and dragged Zaragoza back in to the relegation battle. The Pamplona side started the day needing victories in their last two matches to have any realistic chance of survival, and the Sadar stadium was packed to bursting as fans rallied behind their team. Miguel Angel Lotina was forced to make several changes to his side, with Sanzol coming in between the sticks in place of the injured Nuno, Jusué replacing Vidakovic who was also injured, and Alex and Armentano coming back into a more attacking line up.

Last season their opponents Zaragoza were in with an outside chance of the league title right up until the last day, but this year they are struggling, and caretaker manager Luis Costa was at a loss as to what to do next. He too set out with an unorthodox line up, with Rebosio coming in to a back three and Esnaider returning up front flanked by Juanele and Jamelli. Within a minute José Ignacio almost got the ball in the net for the visitors, Sanzol saving with difficulties, and Zaragoza dominated a first half without really creating many scoring opportunities. The second half though belonged to Osasuna, and Alfonso hit the post with a shot on the hour mark. A few minutes later Alex also hit the woodwork with a free kick, and a minute later it was third time lucky as Jusué's long range shot entered the net off the near post after the defensive wall had blocked another Alex free kick.

Costa threw on three fresh players to help out Esnaider, but Osasuna held on to move up to 39 points, only two now behind their opponents and Oviedo and three away from Valladolid. That leaves the possibility even of a four way tie, but Osasuna first have to win at Basque neighbours Real Sociedad for that to happen. Zaragoza are at home to UEFA cup chasing Celta, but with goal average in their favour against everyone but Valladolid, a point should be enough to save them. Osasuna's hope is that Real will not try to hard, and that they can catch up with Oviedo or Valladolid, who they both lead on particular goal average.