Club Deportivo Eldense returned to Spain’s second tier for the first time in 61 years on Sunday, beating Real Madrid Castilla after extra time in the second leg of the promotion playoff final at a packed Nuevo Pepico Amat.
The Alicante club were promoted after a 3-3 draw against the Real Madrid reserve side who were 2-0 up thanks to goals from Rafa Marín and Carlos Dotor, and who had been kept in the game by goalkeeper Luis López.
A goal in first-half stoppage time from Manu Nieto and another from Carlos Hernández levelled the scores before an exciting extra-time contest in which midfielder Sergio Arribas made it 3-2 with a penalty in the 108th minute and Juanto Ortuño made it 3-3 in the 114th minute.
Eldense, who had drawn 1-1 against Raúl’s side in the first leg at the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium in Madrid, celebrate promotion and can look forward to a season in the Segunda División.
Four teams promoted to Segunda División for 2023-24 season:
- Racing Club de Ferrol
- Amorebieta
- Alcorcón
- Eldense
Kieran Quaile | GSFN
