Real Zaragoza, who lost the first leg of the play-off final at La Romareda 0-3, managed to overcome the score line in this evening’s dramatic play-off semi-final against Girona in Montilivi. Both teams were playing for a place in the final where Las Palmas wait in the hunt for the last promotion place to the Spanish top flight.
The team from Aragon had a dream first half with goals from Brazilian, Willian José (19th minute penalty and a 34th minute strike), and a goal from Uruguayan, Leandro Cabrera just before the break to level the tie.
In the 67th minute, José Manuel Fernández titled the tie in Zaragoza’s favor making the score 0-4 on the night but Aday Benítez added even more drama to the game with a goal for Girona in the 73rd minute. The game lost its shape and the home team spurned chances as the game went into 7 minutes of added time.
In the end, it was a case of heartbreak for Girona, who saw their dream of a place in La Liga cruelly slip away after last week’s late conceded goal against Lugo. Credit to the 350 Zaragoza fans that made the trip to Montilivi with such an adverse result from the first leg. Povovic’s side now face Las Palmas in a 2 legged final with the winner joining Real Betis and Sporting Gijon in La Liga.