Mario Gonzalez rose for a bullet header just before half time, only to be denied as Almeria goalie Fernando arched his back and at full stretch tipped the ball just over the join of post and bar. Nearly an hour into the game, Carlos Ruiz lent into  visiting 15 goal hot shot Sadiq who collapsed for Ramazani to convert a VAR decided penalty. On such moments seasons can turn. Even at a time when promotion candidates are all dropping unexpected points, this 0-1 home defeat for CD Tenerife, effectively shut the door on top two automatic promotion.

For the opening 20 minutes Almeria shaded the play but once Tenerife had sussed out their tactics, the Santa Cruz team took control. Almeria built from the back with Akieme overlapping from a deep left back role to supply Sadiq. Tenerife were adjusting to the late loss of defender Pomares with Covid, Shaq Moore continued at right back with Mellot swapping to the other flank where he kept  Sousa shackled.

Tenerife went in for half time with a growing feeling of confidence and it continued after the restart. Rodrigo Ely, one of the oppositions two free agent recruits in the week before the game looked rusty after sitting on the sidelines at Nottingham Forest. The central defender was fortunate to get away with a loose tackle on Mario in the penalty area. Shaq Moore shaped up for a header at the visitors goal but a defender got his own head in to steer the ball away.

The Almeria goal changed the shape of the game, they looked to defend their lead and run down the time. Tenerife resisted big changes as they were still pressing their opponents and Mario was creating plenty of half chances. Sam Shasoua replaced Bermejo after 77 minutes and was soon followed by Victor Mollejo who provided a late burst of pace and urgency. The 15,053 crowd willed their team on but there was no way back. Captain Aitor Sanz misses the next game after his booking protesting ro the ref over the penalty – but he still led his team over to the crowd after the game to stoke their passion with defiant words. With 10 games left of the regular season, anything can happen but a June extension to Tenerife´s season for the nerve shredding lottery of four team home and away semi finals and final are loomimg large.