MUTILVERA, Spain (Interstat) — Real Zaragoza’s youth squad delivered a commanding performance to open its Copa del Rey Juvenil campaign, defeating UD Mutilvera 3-1 on the road Wednesday at Estadio Mutilnova.

The final score defied pregame projections, as statistical models heavily favored the home side. Interstat’s ELO system had given Mutilvera an 81.90 percent probability to win, while its game simulator had predicted a narrow 1-0 victory for the visitors. Instead, Zaragoza’s attack proved far more potent than anticipated.

The visitors established control early and never relinquished it. Forward Adrián Roncal opened the scoring in the 14th minute, setting the tone for the match. The lead was doubled just 11 minutes later when substitute Juan Sebastian Serrano found the net, giving Zaragoza a comfortable 2-0 advantage before halftime.

The first half concluded with a flurry of disciplinary action, as three yellow cards were issued in stoppage time. Zaragoza’s Sebas Moyano and goalscorer Adrián Roncal were both booked, along with teammate Samed Baždar.

Mutilvera emerged from the break with renewed vigor and managed to pull a goal back in the 78th minute through Kenan Kodro, briefly threatening a comeback. However, any momentum was short-lived. Roncal, who had already scored, turned provider to assist on a critical insurance goal from Serrano, his second of the match, effectively sealing the victory for the visitors.

The match saw additional bookings for Zaragoza’s Hugo Barrachina in the 60th minute and a Mutilvera player identified as Biesa in the 86th minute.

The victory gives Real Zaragoza a perfect start to the youth cup competition, moving its record to 1 win and 0 losses. Across all competitions this season, the team now holds an identical 1-0 record. For UD Mutilvera, the loss marks a disappointing beginning to both its Copa del Rey Juvenil season and its overall campaign, as it falls to 0-1 in all competitions.

Key to Zaragoza’s success was the dynamic play of Adrián Roncal, who finished with a goal and an assist. The impact from the substitutes’ bench was also decisive, with Juan Sebastian Serrano’s two goals proving instrumental. The assist on Serrano’s second-half goal was one of two helpers credited to both Samed Baždar and Sebas Moyano, while Hugo Barrachina was also credited with an assist, highlighting the depth of Zaragoza’s squad in the victory.