Arsenal fan favourite secures La Liga promotion
Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla helped Real Oviedo to achieve their goal of promotion to La Liga on Saturday, scoring in their pivotal win over CD Mirandes.
Photo via Charles Watts on Twitter
Former Gunner Santi Cazorla achieved his goal with boyhood club Real Oviedo on Saturday, helping them to promotion to La Liga.
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Oviedo finished third in the Spanish second tier in 2024/25, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion. But they had the chance to go up through the play-offs, and Cazorla helped them to the final by scoring a 'weak foot' free-kick in the semi-final against UD Almeria.
The 40-year-old missed the first leg of the final against CD Mirandes, and his side lost 1-0 without him. They had work to do in the second leg on Saturday, and Cazorla stepped up to the task once again.
Photo via Cazorla on Instagram
This time named in the starting lineup, Cazorla watched on as Oviedo went 1-0 down in the 16th minute, putting them 2-0 down on aggregate. But there was a lifeline in the 39th minute, as the hosts won a penalty.
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Cazorla stepped up to the spot and put his kick straight down the middle, putting his side back within one goal.
Ilyas Chaira scored that goal early in the second half, levelling the tie and ultimately sending it to extra time. Cazorla had been withdrawn by then, but Oviedo's Francisco Portillo netted in the 103rd minute to win the final and secure promotion.
Photo via Cazorla on Instagram
The full-time whistle brought a pitch invasion, followed by Cazorla leading chants from the stands. 2025/26 will be Oviedo's first season in the top flight for 24 years.
Cazorla's contract is reportedly up this summer, so he'll be a free agent in just a few days. At 40, retirement is very possible. But whatever happens next, the Arsenal fan favourite has made his mark back with the club of his youth.
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