Santi Cazorla, the hero of the city of Asturias, the man that led a whole troop to bring his boyhood club, Real Oviedo back to top flight football after twenty four (24) years after he had promised to quit playing in other clubs, come to the Spanish second tier club and make sure they gain promotion to the top flight.
Finishing third on the Spanish Segunda (Second) Division league log after first placed Levante and second placed Elche have already secured their place in the 2025/2026 La Liga season, Santi Cazorla’s third-placed Real Oviedo were subjected to a two-legged playoff final against fourth placed Mirandes after playing out in a heated double legged semifinal fixture against Almeria and won— to determine which club joins Levante and Elche to climb up to the top division.
During the second leg of the semifinal series against Almeria, Santi Cazorla scored the equalizer at home to seal a crucial victory for Real Oviedo who had already won 2-1 away in the reverse fixture. The former Arsenal talisman led the team to final via a slim margin against opponents, Almeria.
On Sunday, June 15 2025, the first leg of the playoff final between Real Oviedo and Mirandes took place when an early goal under 3 minutes from midfielder, Alberto Reina, saw off Santi Cazorla’s Real Oviedo in a 1-0 loss pending a possible dream breakdown for the Asturias outfit who have been on a La Liga pursuit for 24 years but the team remains resolute and they showed character and resilience as they kept their hopes alive.
Notwithstanding the loss away to Mirandes, manager Paunovic and his charges kept the belief and optimism of making it to the top flight in the upcoming season as they relayed the passion and determination amongst each other throughout the week before the final showdown at home.
On Saturday, June 21 2025, the main event came to light as home side, Real Oviedo were ready and eager to win the final game as they looked up into the heavens to find strength to make an earnest bid to win the fierce encounter and secure a place in the 2025/2026 Spanish La Liga season.
From the blast of the whistle, you could see the unrelenting spirit with utmost dedication by the team with immense enthusiasm far from an iota of relinquishing power. The “Los Azules” (Blues) had the conviction of making history by playing their hearts out to the final seconds of the game as they were pumped up by the unflinching support of the home crowd.
The “Carboyanes” kept pushing for a chance to put the ball at the back of the net to pull parity on aggregate to get another opportunity to etch their names in history books as the unit to bring back the club to top division glory since 2001.
The visitors struck first on the 16th minute through Joaquin Panichelli who added more salt to the woes of the home side after his side, Mirandes have already won the first leg by 1-0
Real Oviedo kept the belief and momentum and on the 39th minute, their efforts were rewarded with a penalty which was converted by the legendary veteran, Santi Cazorla as it revamped the hopes of the hosts against Mirandes after the goal reduced the deficit and paved a way for a comeback for “The Blues”
However, the visitors also came with other plans as they did not succumb to the pressure and intense intimidation from the Oviedo indigenes, as they kept the fighting spirit intact, holding on the the lead till 24 year old Ilyas Chaira finally grabbed the second to pull parity for Real Oviedo on the 52nd minute. Both teams battled it out fiercely until the end of the game in regulation time of 90 minutes.
With both sides awaiting Extra Time, and a possible penalty shootout subsequently to determine the eventual winner of the contest after locking horns for 90 minutes, another 30-minute battle was imminent as La Liga was awaiting the final club to join the competition for the 2025/2026 season.
The Extra Time begun with intense competition from both teams from start until the decisive goal was scored by Real Oviedo’s 35-year-old forward, Francisco Portillo with just two minutes left to end th first half of Extra Time.
Fast forward to the second period of Extra Time, the home side remained steadfast and confident in their ability to hold unto the lead till the end and it was dream come true for The Blues as they managed to win the game against all odds to mark a monumental triumph in the La Liga Segunda Division and ultimately gaining promotion to top flight football after 24 years in grand style.
SANTI CAZORLA
The 40 year-old veteran who led his boyhood club to a long-awaited dream of gaining top flight status in Spanish football for over two decades, was the hero of the club’s success as he scored the vital goal to get them into the finals and also scoring in the finals with his only shot of the game to earn the monumental feat for his club.
The charismatic playmaker was born on December 13, 1984 in the city of Llanera, Asturias, where Real Oviedo was formed.
After impressing as a youngster with the hometown club, he joined Vilarreal in 2003, continued with his development before having a short stint with partner club, Recreativo de Huelta— a club where he became a standout player and a household legend where he contributed to their top ten finish in La Liga and was awarded Spanish Footballer of the Year in the 2006-2007 La Liga season.
He returned to Villarreal for €1.2 million the season after, becoming a key figure to the side, regularly being named in the La Liga Team of the Season. In 2011, Cazorla moved to Malaga in a club-record €21 million deal, where he gained a reputation for his speed, shooting accuracy, capacity to change the rhythm of gameplay, and excellent close control.
After the 2011/2012 season coupled with Málaga's perilous financial situation, Cazorla moved to English Premier League side, Arsenal for a fee of £10 million, where he became a core component to the team in his first year at the club, registering thirteen assists, after which he was voted Arsenal Player of the Season, as well as becoming ranked one of the best footballers in Europe. Cazorla was integral in ending the club's nine-year trophy drought in scoring a crucial free-kick en route to winning the FA Cup Final in 2014. Injuries plagued his latter years with Arsenal.
In 2018, Cazorla returned to Villarreal; in his two seasons, he recorded his highest appearance, league goals and assist count since 2015.
In 2020, he signed for Qatari club Al Saad before returning to his childhood club Oviedo in 2023.
Prior to his return, the veteran playmaker had to mitigate his earnings as a gesture of giving back in return for how Real Oviedo shaped his career and in an interview he said:
“I'd play for Real Oviedo for free. I called my agent. 'I don't want money.' I spoke to the president. 'Minimum wage, 10% of shirt sales to the academy.' It was done that night."
During his career, the 40 year old underwent eight surgeries and almost lost his foot. He spent a year and nine months without playing active football and through it all, he kept the belief and the faith that kept him going and today, the sacrifices and dedication as well as the determination have paid off gracefully as he has beeb about to achieve the goal of bringing his boyhood club back in contention for top flight football after 24 years, grasping the feat in grand style.
Now, the Asturias outfit are back in significant fashion and have cemented a spot in La Liga for the 2025/2026 season after a long spell in lower divisions.
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