Mirandés Strikes Oviedo, Keeping Promotion Dream Alive

Mirandés' dream is inching closer to reality after the team took a significant step forward on Sunday by defeating Oviedo in the first 90 minutes of the promotion final to the Primera Division. The victory was narrow and not without its challenges, as Mirandés took the lead with a goal from Alberto Reina in the first chance of the match, and in the final stretch, in the 85th minute, Raúl Fernández saved a penalty from Santiago Colombatto to maintain the definitive 1-0 scoreline.

Anduva was a fortress, and Mirandés intimidated Oviedo, who struggled to create danger except in isolated actions. Part of the blame also lay with the Oviedo team, which could not count on its star, Santi Cazorla, who is recovering from a minor injury sustained during his heroic performance in the return leg of the promotion playoff semi-final against Almería. Cazorla will be present on Saturday for the return leg at Carlos Tartiere.

The first-leg result gives Mirandés an advantage, although the Burgos team does not have a large margin, as they must survive at Oviedo's ground, which will host the most important match in the modern history of both teams. Mirandés can afford to draw, but not to be defeated, as an Oviedo victory, even by the narrowest margin, would grant promotion to the Asturian team, who were better classified in the regular phase in Segunda.

The 1-0 result at Anduva satisfied Mirandés' fans, who saw their team accomplish their goals for the season and keep alive the dream of an achievement that seemed unthinkable months ago. The 400 Oviedo fans who traveled encouraged their players and still believe in a comeback, hoping this will be their year after the disappointment of losing in the promotion final last season.

Mirandés' success was based on their excellent work in both offensive and defensive phases, completely nullifying Oviedo's options. In the first attack of the match, captain Alberto Reina headed a powerful shot to ignite the stands at Anduva. The locals kept their cool to manage the result and fell back to stay organized, but they had better chances to extend their lead. Among them, a volley from Reina, which on that occasion Aarón Escandell managed to clear.

In the final stretch of the first half, Oviedo managed to wake up, but Ilyas was unlucky with a header that had everything in his favor. The nerves were visible on the players' faces, and the intensity increased, thanks to the referee being very lenient and allowing play to continue.

In the second half, the clearest chance was a volley from Izeta, against which Escandell made a prodigious save that could be decisive in the final outcome of the tie. The tone was different from the first 45 minutes, as there was a change of roles where Oviedo took the initiative but failed to create clear chances in front of the local goal.

Oviedo did not give up, and with ten minutes remaining, VAR awarded a penalty to the Asturians. Colombatto took the shot, but his attempt in the 85th minute went down the middle, and Raúl Fernández managed to save it, becoming one of Mirandés' heroes in the most crucial minutes of the season and the team's history.