Real Oviedo secure a historic promotion

Real Oviedo have secured a spot in next season’s LALIGA EA SPORTS, sealing a long-awaited return to Spanish football’s top flight. They’re back in the top tier for the first time inAsturians, thanks to a 3-1 after extra time victory against CD Mirandés in the return leg of the LALIGA HYPERMOTION promotion playoff final on Saturday. The visitors had previously grabbed a 1-0 home victory in the first leg, but the Asturian side managed to turn the tie around, winning 2-1 in 90 minutes and then scoring the only goal of extra time in front of approximately 30,000 fans at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere, breaking the club’s attendance record on what was a historic night for Real Oviedo.

A strong start by CD Mirandés

Having celebrated a hard-fought win at home the previous weekend, Alessio Lisci’s side carried their momentum into Saturday’s clash and hit the ground running. Just 16 minutes into the first half, an Iker Benito cross was headed home by Joaquín Panichelli, who ended his seven-game goal drought. The Argentinian forward finished the regular season with 20 goals in 40 games, sitting second in the league’s scoring charts behind UD Almería striker Luis Suárez. Despite not scoring a single goal in the first three games of the playoffs, Panichelli recorded four assists in the previous round to lead CD Mirandés to the finals for the first time in the club’s history. 

The captain steps up for Real Oviedo

Having overcome the initial shock, Real Oviedo grew into the game and dominated the ball, creating danger in the final third. With six minutes remaining in the first half, CD Mirandés midfielder Alberto Reina committed a penalty by handling the ball in the box. Enter club legend Santi Cazorla, who didn’t hesitate to step up, sending it past Raúl Fernández and into the back of the net for a timely equaliser just before the break. With this equaliser, Cazorla became the oldest player to score in a promotion playoff final, at the age of 40 years and 190 days. "There were a lot of nerves,” Cazorla admitted after the game. “It was a difficult match because they took the lead, but the team didn't lose faith.”

A comeback that will never be forgotten 

A solid start to the second half saw CD Mirandés have most of the ball, but it was Real Oviedo who netted a second. Rahim Alhassane found Ilyas Chaira, whose low strike gave the hosts a 2-1 lead in the 52nd minute, squaring it up on aggregate. Yet, the guests pinned Los Carbayones back to their box, with the hosts sitting deep and effectively soaking up pressure. Some big saves from Aarón Escandell and CD Mirandés’ lack of a clinical touch in front of goal saw the two teams head into extra time.

Real Oviedo regained control by keeping possession and pushing forward, preventing the visitors from dictating the tempo. Their efforts paid off when Francisco Portillo received the ball in the box and unleashed a turnaround strike that beat Fernández. This is the fifth time that Portillo has celebrated promotion to LALIGA EA SPORTS, having previously done so with Real Betis (2014/15), Getafe CF (2016/17), UD Almería (2021/22) and CD Leganés (2023/24). “I kicked [the ball] with everything,” Portillo said after the game. “We were having a hard time, because they are a very good team and they were pressing. CD Mirandés did not surprise us, because they are an impressive team, with extraordinary players, but this time it was our turn and we deserved it.”

Having recorded nine wins and just one loss in 14 games since coach Veljko Paunović took over, Real Oviedo have secured a historic return to LALIGA EA SPORTS for the first time since the 2000/01 campaign. There was a huge party after the match in the Asturian city, a city that will welcome the giants of Spanish football once again in 2025/26.