Espanyol have taken a significant step towards the La Liga play-off final, while Real Oviedo and Eibar are deadlocked
In the first leg of the semi-final of the Segunda play-off, there was only one goal and it belonged to Spanish and academy product Javi Puado. Los Pericos took a vital step back into La Liga with a 1-0 win over Sporting Gijon in Asturias.
In a tight game, it was former Espanyol striker Victor Campuzano who could not direct Sporting's best chance on target at the near post. Martin Braithwaite went close with a blocked effort in the box, but with just two minutes remaining, the Danish striker latched on to a loose ball and slotted it past Puado, who rounded the keeper and sent the Catalans on a delirious journey.
Espanyol were the only team to score in the Segunda play-off semi-final at the weekend.
They take a 1-0 lead at Barcelona into the second leg after Javi Puado converted Martin Braithwaite's assist with two minutes to go last night.pic.twitter.com/oBtcmmuYb4
— Football Spain (@footballespana_) June 10, 2024
They will take a 1-0 lead at the RCDE Stadium on Thursday night at 21:00 CEST, while Real Oviedo and Eibar Having everything to play for Ipurua after a 0-0 draw right on the road in Oviedo. The visitors perhaps had the better of the game, despite a late push from Oviedo, and the two sides meet again on Wednesday at 21:00 CEST.
As the two best finishers, Espanyol and Eibar will advance to the final if the scores are equal at the end of extra time. The winners will face each other in a two-legged final, in a bid to join Leganes and Real Valladolid in La Liga next season.
