Matías Orozco debuted with Castellón in a 2-0 victory against Albacete, standing out with a 100% pass accuracy during his first appearance in Spain. The 18-year-old Colombian midfielder came on in the final minutes of the match at the SkyFi Castalia stadium and displayed skills that caught the crowd’s attention.
Orozco completed all 20 passes he attempted, including ten in the opponent’s half, and had a total of 27 touches with just one loss. During his brief time on the field, he also took one shot on goal, successfully dribbled past an opponent once out of two attempts, covered 53.5 meters with the ball, and added one tackle, one interception, and two ground duels won. This brilliant performance has enhanced interest in his professional development.
The player joined Castellón this week on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, the team that signed him from Deportivo Cali. The agreement ensures his stay until June 30, 2027, with no purchase option, according to the Castellón club’s statement.
Head coach Pablo Hernández decided to introduce Orozco into the match after the goals from Ousmane Camara and Israel Suero. He replaced Barri, giving Orozco the opportunity to experience the Spanish Second Division. During his short time on the pitch, the midfielder showcased his talent by beating an opponent with a sombrero and assisting Suero, whose shot hit the post, close to what could have been an assist in his first European appearance.
The player’s performance was praised in the press, highlighting several quality interventions and his ability to evade ball losses. Part of the crowd at the stadium cheered his name, reflecting the excitement his participation generates. A fan commented that he couldn’t remember a debut that showed so much potential for top-tier teams in European competitions.
Following their victory against Albacete, Castellón stands alone at the top of the Spanish Second Division with 10 points after four matchdays. The team controlled the game, opening the scoring in the 55th minute, followed by a second goal from Suero six minutes later. This allowed the coaching staff to give Orozco minutes, one of the club’s recent signings.
Orozco, born in Barranquilla on December 1, 2007, began his career at Deportivo Cali, where he made 28 appearances and scored two goals before his move to England. He has been part of Colombia’s youth national teams, being regarded as a player with great potential by Brighton. The loan to Castellón represents his first competitive experience in Europe and the opportunity to gain minutes in a league aiming for promotion to the First Division.
Castellón’s next match will be against Girona on September 12, followed by games against Tenerife on September 19 and Leganés on the 28th. These matches will determine whether Orozco can continue contributing to the team under the guidance of Pablo Hernández, who has marked his debut with a 100% accuracy on his 20 passes.
Source: www.infobae.com
