Almeria have moved out of the relegation zone in La Liga courtesy of a dramatic last-gasp 4-3 win over Real Sociedad this evening.
The visitors almost took the lead after just five minutes when the ball fell to Agirretxe on the edge of the box, but his effort went just over the bar.
They did break the deadlock 16 minutes later, however, as Carlos Vela converted from the spot after Angel Trujillo had been penalised for a handball inside the box.
Mane almost levelled things up for the hosts in the 27th minute when he let fly from range, but Claudio Bravo was equal to the effort.
Bravo could do nothing about the equaliser just two minutes later, however, as Oscar Diaz exchanged passes with Fernando Soriano before lifting the ball over the keeper.
Sociedad almost regained their lead seven minutes after the restart when Antoine Griezmann created space for himself to shoot inside the box, only to be denied by a fine save from Esteban.
Esteban was helpless seven minutes later, though, as Agirretxe took a long ball in his stride before producing a delightful chip over the stranded keeper to make it 2-1.
Almeria were level again soon enough as the referee pointed to the spot for the second time in the match, this time awarding the hosts a penalty for a foul by Inigo Martinez. Verza stepped up and made no mistake to restore parity.
It was a hat-trick of penalties in the match just five minutes later as Almeria were awarded another spot kick by the ref, and once again Verza converted to give his side the lead for the first time.
Sociedad thought that they had rescued a point late on when Markel Bergara rose highest inside the box to plant a header past the keeper having been found by Chori Castro's free kick.
However, it was the hosts who were to have the last laugh as Hicham found his way through the defence before firing a shot past Bravo in second-half stoppage time to claim all three points for his side.
Barney Corkhill
