News Archive

First division – day 38

Huesca have been promoted to the first division for the first time in their history after they beat Lugo 0-2 in the Monday night game! (21.05.18)

The last round of league games of the season took place this weekend, although with all issues already decided, it was much quieter than usual. On Saturday Real Madrid put out a line-up similar to that expected for next week’s Champions League final (except for Zidane’s son Luca in goal), but they could still only draw 2-2 with Villarreal, early strikes by Bale and Ronaldo cancelled out by second half goals from Roger Martínez and Samu Castillejo. Villarreal take fifth spot, ahead of Betis, who lost 3-2 at Leganés, and Sevilla, who beat Alavés 1-0. Getafe and Girona ended what for both has been an excellent season with wins at the relegated Málaga (0-1) and Las Palmas (1-2) respectively, and Celta finished their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Levante, Maxi Gómez and Iago Aspas getting a brace each there.

On Sunday there were emotive goodbyes for two of Spain’s most important figures in recent years, Iniesta and Fernando Torres. Iniesta (and also Real’s Xabi Prieto) left the field to a standing ovation as league champions Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 1-0, Inesta’s supposed replacement Coutinho getting the only goal in the second half. And “El Niño” scored both goals as Atlético Madrid drew 2-2 against Eibar to end the season in second place, adding to the Europa League title they won midweek. Valencia meanwhile celebrated their fourth spot with a 2-1 victory over the third team to go down, Deportivo (the fourteen point gap between the bottom three and the rest one of the biggest in recent years), and Athletic Bilbao’s disappointing season came to a sad end with a 0-1 defeat against Espanyol.

All that remains to be decided is which three teams will be promoted from the second division, which still has a couple of weeks to go. However a defeat for third placed Sporting Gijón at Tenerife on Friday evening has left the way open for Rayo Vallecano and Huesca to take the two direct promotion spots. Rayo will have to wait a little longer though after they lost 4-0 at neighbours Alcorcón; Huesca (who have never been in the top flight) play on Monday. Elsewhere the play-offs for promotion to the second division started this weekend, with Mallorca and Cartagena getting the edge over Mirandés and Rayo Majadahonda in the first legs of their respective group champions play-offs. (20.05.18)