Sergio Arribas leads Real Madrid Castilla into play-off contention.

Sergio Arribas produced a masterclass for Castilla on Sunday, scoring two golazos in a 3-1 win over Badajoz.

Raul’s team haven’t managed to win a game in the second phase of the Segunda B campaign and looked to be slipping out of play-off contention after a 2-0 defeat to Extramendura last weekend. However, results went their way in the lead up to Sunday’s game and the reserves came into the match knowing a victory would put them back in the play-off spots.

Badajoz have been the runaway team of Group 5 and will likely be favorites to be promoted having narrowly missed out last season. Despite Castilla’s bright start, few could of predicted the brilliance of the opener. Spotting the goalkeeper off his line, Arribas placed a shot from the halfway line into the top corner to put the hosts in front.

Badajoz rallied after conceding and eventually forced (emphasizing forced) an equalizer via a scramble in the Castilla box. Fortunately, they conceded a dangerous free kick four minutes later and Arribas did what Arribas does from there.

Hugo Duro sealed the points from the spot early in the second 45 and Castilla now have one more game against Talavera to book their place in the playoffs.

Arribas and Castilla’s progress this year, of all years, can only leave you speechless. There will be more than a sniff of fortune should they reach the playoffs this year, but short of key staff throughout the entire second phase, it would be a stunning achievement. At an individual level, Arribas, Blanco and Gutierrez have all reportedly placed themselves in the first team picture for next season thanks to their performances with and outside the senior side this year. The trio only scratch the surface of Castilla’s talent well this year with Sergio Santos, Hugo Vallejo and Duro among others putting in performances that should be turning heads among the Real Madrid higher ups.