Regions’ Cup: Aragón triumphs seconds before the penalty shoot-out

A balanced, pulsating final in the 2025 UEFA Regions’ Cup, hosted by San Marino and decided at the Acquaviva Stadium. Just when a penalty shoot-out seemed inevitable to determine the 13th winner of the competition, it was Torcal’s strike from a corner that tore up the script. Aragón are champions for the first time in their history, succeeding their neighbours Galicia on the roll of honour.

Over the course of the two hours of football, however, it was Dolnośląski who generally had the upper hand. Football, though, can be as ruthless as it is cynical, rewarding those who are more clinical at the decisive moment. Thus, the crossbar hit by Jablonski on 36 minutes counted for little in the end – the first real jolt in a match played at a high tempo but which reserved the main chances for the second half. On 52 minutes San Agustín had a golden chance to put Aragón in front, but he shot straight at the onrushing goalkeeper. Chegu fared no better, crowded out by the combined intervention of Gąsiorowski and Łazarowicz. Dolnośląski became dangerous again just after the hour mark with a fine move that freed Niewiadomski for a right-footed effort from the edge of the box. On that occasion, Casero’s block – throwing himself in the way to deny the Polish lead – proved decisive. In the closing stages of normal time Kołodziejczyk’s men seemed to have more in the tank and it took all of Lite’s agility to keep out Wronski’s powerful right-footed drive. In the dying minutes there was a chance at each end: Torcal failed to find the corner with a close-range header on 85 minutes, while Lite produced a stunning save to turn away another thunderbolt from Wronski, who was already savouring a stoppage-time winner.

The outcome looked destined to favour the Polish side. Dolnośląski appealed for a penalty at the start of extra time for a foul on Wronski, but the referee awarded only a corner. At the other end, San Agustín broke the offside trap and skipped past the advancing Gąsiorowski with a delicate touch, only to be denied by Niemienionek’s last-ditch recovery. Shortly afterwards, a breakdown in communication between Gąsiorowski and his back line presented Chegu with an opportunity, but he dragged his shot wide. The 13th edition of the UEFA Regions’ Cup was ultimately decided by a loose ball following a corner awarded in the only minute of added time at the end of extra time. The Dolnośląski defence failed to clear and Torcal reacted quickest – and with a slice of luck – to latch onto the ball and divert it into the net, handing Aragón the first continental title in their history.

UEFA Regions’ Cup San Marino 2025 | Aragón-Dolnośląski 1-0

ARAGÓN (4-3-3)

Lite; Pinto (91’ Ferruz), Losin, Espierrez, Rober; Muñoz, Casero (116’ Rubio), Ciriano (70’ Torcal); Chegu, San Agustín (120+3’), Charlez

Substitutes: Jiménez, Torres, Cervera, Muzquiz, Gracia

Coach: Richi Civera

DOLNOŚLĄSKI (4-3-3)

Gąsiorowski; Bienkowski (70’ Wronski), Jablonski (118’ Ratajski), Łazarowicz, Niemienionek; Maciejewski, Wasilewski (86’ Bąk), Bohdanowicz (86’ Franczak); Wawrzyniak, Bońkowski (57’ Marcjan), Olek (57’ Niewiadomski)

Substitutes: Gembara, Woźniak, Korba

Coach: Jacek Kołodziejczyk

Referee: Robertas Volikonis (LTU)

Assistant referees: Vytenis Kazlauskas (LTU), Gianmarco Ercolani (SMR)

Fourth official: Michele Beltrano (SMR)

Scorer: 120+1’ Torcal

Booked: Olek, Maciejewski, Pinto, Ciriano, Wawrzyniak, Casero, Bohdanowicz, Niewiadomski, Ferruz, Chegu, Charlez

Attendance: 248