Swansea City brought their pre-season campaign to a close with a narrow 1-0 win against Spanish side CD Leganés at the Swansea.com Stadium, courtesy of a first goal for new signing Joseph Opoku.
Opoku first to score for Matos' side
The 20-year-old Ghanaian forward, who arrived from Belgian club Zulte Waregem on a four-year contract last week, marked his debut with the decisive finish after pressure in the closing stages of the first half. A loose back pass from Leganés defender Gonzalo López allowed Adam Idah to force a clearance from visiting goalkeeper Raúl Fernández; Opoku followed up to place a composed first-time shot into the empty net from around 20 yards.
The result gave head coach Vítor Matos one last opportunity to assess his squad ahead of the opening fixture in the League Cup against Birmingham City next weekend. Several of the summer attacking recruits, including Moussa Yeo and Elijah Just, featured and impressed during a lively first 45 minutes for the home side.
How the match unfolded
Leganés enjoyed the bulk of early possession but created little of note for goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux. Swansea gradually asserted themselves with midfield control provided by World Cup performer Marko Stamenic, whose long-range attempt forced the visiting keeper into action. Idah and the new attacking trio combined effectively to fashion openings, with Just testing the defence and later curling narrowly wide of the far post.
After half-time both sides made changes; Swansea kept control despite the substitutions and limited the Spaniards to a few chances, the best of which came from Moroccan playmaker Yassine Kechta, whose chip was smartly tipped away by Fernández. There was a flirtation with a second goal for Opoku following further good work from Idah and Just, but the opportunity drifted just past the upright.
- Final score: Swansea City 1–0 CD Leganés
- Goal: Joseph Opoku (first goal for club)
- Notable: warm-up for League Cup tie at Birmingham City next weekend
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Swansea.com Stadium |
| New signings featuring | Joseph Opoku, Moussa Yeo, Elijah Just |
| Head coach | Vítor Matos |
The win will provide a boost to supporters and staff ahead of competitive action. For Matos, the match offered confirmation of the attacking options at his disposal and a final window to fine-tune combinations before the squad travels for the League Cup opener. Observant fans will have taken encouragement from Opoku’s composed finish and the early chemistry among the summer acquisitions.
Next up for the Swans is the League Cup meeting with Birmingham City, where Matos is likely to rotate again as he balances preparation with securing results once the season begins in earnest.
