Real Valladolid secure La Liga return

Real Valladolid have secured a return to La Liga courtesy of a 4-1 aggregate success over Numancia.

Valladolid took a 3-0 advantage into the second leg of their playoff final on Saturday night, and a 1-1 draw in the return match on home soil has seen them return to the top division.

Pucela were relegated from Spain's top flight at the end of the 2013-14 campaign, and finished fifth, 16th and seventh in the Segunda Division before posting fifth during the 2017-18 campaign.

Sergio Gonzalez's side have now been confirmed as the third promoted team, and will return to La Liga alongside the champions Rayo Vallecano and second-placed Huesa.

An even game saw both teams manage three shots on target, and it was goalless until the 87th minute - Manu del Moral sending Numancia ahead after good work from Guillermo, but it was always going to be a case of too little, too late.

Valladolid levelled the scores in the 93rd minute when Jaime Mata netted his 35th goal of the season, and that proved to be the final piece of action as the celebrations started.

Numancia have only been present in La Liga once in the last 13 seasons, and will now spend at least one more campaign in the Segunda Division.

VALLADOLID (4-4-1-1): Masip (Becerra 90'); Antonito, Kiko, Calero, Martinez; Villa (Gianniotas 76'), Borja, Tuhami, Hervias (Ontiveros 81'); Piano; Mata

NUMANCIA (4-2-3-1): Fernandez; Etxeberria, Elgezabal, Calvo, Ripa; Ecassi, Perez; Nacho, Diamanka (Del Moral 46'), Milla (Mateu 46'); Higinio (Guillermo 46')