Oviedo and Cazorla Reach Top Division

After 24 years of hardship, even struggling in non-professional football, Real Oviedo will once again take its place among the elite next season, joining Elche and Levante, who were promoted in the regular phase. Ecstasy in the capital of the Principality and indescribable joy for Santi Cazorla, the hero who returned home in 2023 precisely to experience this. Unlike last season, when Espanyol dashed the Asturians' hopes at the last moment, this time Oviedo is celebrating.

He had won two European Championships with Spain, shone at Villarreal and Arsenal, but nothing was greater than this promotion for Santi Cazorla, the small great man of 40 years, 14 surgeries, and even eight centimeters less of Achilles tendon due to a deadly bacteria. A brutal story of Cazorla and redemption for Veljko Paunovic, who was part of the Oviedo squad that was relegated nearly a quarter of a century ago and took on the challenge of replacing Javi Calleja on the bench to achieve the return to the top division.

Mirandés fell in extra time with great honor, dreaming of achieving the miracle when Argentine Panichelli silenced the Tartiere after 15 minutes. The locals recovered, but the Castilians were fully engaged in the final until Portillo, an expert in promotion, struck the third goal in extra time. Enormous merit, a commendable team led by Alessio Licsi representing a modest club with a budget of just 9 million, emblematic of a city of 36,000 inhabitants, of which about 3,500 are season ticket holders.

Hostilities erupted after some emotional preliminaries. A vibrant atmosphere at the Tartiere, with driver Fernando Alonso present in a box and those bagpipers playing 'Asturias patria querida' that sent shivers down the spine and brought tears to the eyes of the local fans. It was a life-or-death duel, one where controlling emotions was as crucial, if not more so, than technical skill.

"The moment we've all been waiting for has arrived. We are ready, we will give it our all," emphasized Veljko Paunovic, the local coach, minutes before the start. "If they want to be real footballers, they have to get used to these environments. We try to bring it to absolute normality," pointed out Alessio Lisci, seemingly less nervous than his counterpart.

The Rioja referee blew the whistle, and the Castilians started better, with more composure. As if the home advantage had a boomerang effect on an Oviedo gripped by anxiety. After a couple of scuffles, typical in these no-return duels, Mirandés took the lead after 15 minutes. It was Argentine Panichelli, who scored 21 goals this season, following a textbook play by his team, with precision and perfect spacing in the area. The blues reacted wonderfully. They took the punch to the jaw, rallied, and gradually regained control of the final.

They were fortunate in the equalizing play at a crucial moment, just before halftime. Cazorla took a corner, and David Costas' header hit Reina's outstretched arm. The second penalty of the tie, after Raúl Fernández saved one in Anduva. This time Cazorla took it and didn't miss, although he shot it quite poorly, low and central. The goalkeeper almost saved it with his feet, but the Tartiere erupted.

Oviedo needed one more goal to avoid a second consecutive drama. And it was scored after the restart by Moroccan Ilyas Chaira, on loan from Girona. The value of that goal was immense, as it not only secured extra time but also gave Oviedo promotion if extra time ended with that narrow lead.

Perhaps that's why those at the Tartiere sank and allowed Mirandés to seek the equalizer with a couple of attempts. Goalkeeper Escandell was splendid. In an isolated counterattack, it was Alemao who could have sealed the victory.

It so happened that regulation time ended with five changes for Oviedo, including an exhausted Cazorla, and none for the Burgos side. As the match reached its conclusion, Portillo brought out his playbook and closed the chapter on promotion. The subsequent brawl and expulsions were unnecessary. Anecdotes. Oviedo is in the top division.