Santi Cazorla magic sparks Oviedo's long-awaited return to La Liga after 24 years

Santi Cazorla magic sparks Oviedo's long-awaited return to LaLiga after 24 years

Real Oviedo's 24-year wait for a place back among Spanish football's elite is finally over - thanks, in no small part, to a hometown hero.

In a thrilling playoff turnaround on Saturday, Oviedo toppled Mirandes 3-2 on aggregate, fueled by a stunning 3-1 second-leg victory at a rocking Estadio Carlos Tartiere.

Among the scorers was none other than Santi Cazorla - the 39-year-old midfield maestro whose return to his boyhood club has now reached fairytale status. Alongside goals from Ilyas Chaira and Francisco Portillo, Cazorla's strike helped erase a first-leg deficit and deliver a night fans will never forget.

The final whistle set off pandemonium in Asturias. Supporters flooded the pitch in tears and joy, celebrating a return to LaLiga that has been nearly a generation in the making.

"It's impossible to put this feeling into words. These players-every one of them-are legends now," said head coach Veljko Paunovic, beaming in a post-match interview with LaLiga TV.

With the promotion, Real Oviedo joins Levante and Elche in the 2025â-26 LaLiga season, stepping into the slots vacated by Leganes, Las Palmas, and Valladolid. But for Oviedo fans, this is more than just promotion - it's resurrection. And at the heart of it all? A local hero writing the final chapters of his career with heart, grace, and a touch of magic.

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