With summaryDeportivo Alavés returns to La Liga after a one-year absence. The team of coach Luis García Plaza won the decisive game in the play-offs at Levante 0-1 through a striking penalty in the 129th minute. The first meeting between the two clubs had ended goalless.
Sports editorial
Latest update:
08:38
Levante had finished third in Spain’s second tier this season, one spot above Deportivo Alavés by one point. With a 0-0 score twice, there would be no penalty shootout, but Levante would be promoted because it finished above Alavés in the league.
The fans of Levante celebrated deep into extra time, but it still went wrong. Levante defender Rober Pier got the ball against his hand and after minutes of VAR deliberation, the ball still hit the spot. It was the Basque striker Asier Villalibre (25) who coolly used the penalty in minute 129 and shot the club from the Basque capital Vitoria-Gasteiz back to La Liga. It caused an enormous discharge for the thousand fans who traveled along in Valencia and for the thousands of fans who had stayed behind in the Basque Country.
Levante also relegated from La Liga last year, but will therefore also be active in Spain’s second level in the 2023/2024 season. The club from Valencia was just short of direct promotion this season, because number two Las Palmas (also 72 points) had a slightly better goal difference after 42 rounds.
Levante had already dealt with number six Albacete in the semi-finals of the play-offs for promotion. Deportivo Alavés was too strong for Basque neighbor Eibar in the previous round.
Champions Granada and Las Palmas were already certain of promotion to La Liga. Elche, RCD Espanyol and Real Valladolid were relegated to La Liga 2, formerly known as Segunda División.
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