Santi Cazorla completes fairytale swansong with Oviedo as Arsenal legend scores to get boyhood club promoted to LaLiga
SANTI CAZORLA completed his fairytale swansong with Oviedo after netting to get them promoted back to LaLiga.
The ace helped inspire a stunning comeback against Mirandes to seal a return to the top flight after a 24-year absence, prompting an incredible pitch invasion from fans.
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Santi Cazorla inspired Oviedo to LaLiga promotion
Credit: Getty
7
The ace netted a penalty as his side fought back from 2-0 down against Mirandes
Credit: Getty
7
Cazorla got a kiss from wife Ursula at full time
7
Fans invaded the pitch in jubilant scenes
7
Players celebrated wildly in the midst of the supporters
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Oviedo were last in Spain's top flight 24 years ago
The former Spain ace started his career with Oviedo's academy in 1996 before going on to star for Villarreal, Malaga and
Cazorla, who almost lost his leg due to an infection after numerous Achilles injuries,
Oviedo were in the second tier of Spain at the time, having last played in LaLiga in 2001 while even suffering relegation to the fourth division.
Cazorla's first campaign back saw his side suffer heartbreak in the playoff final.
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But the minnows are now back in the big time after
They doubled their advantage after just 16 minutes to leave Oviedo's hopes of promotion hanging by a thread.
But Cazorla stepped up to score a penalty just before half-time, pulling his side back into the game.
Oviedo then levelled the tie on the hour mark before Mirandes had a men sent off.
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And the hosts completed their stunning comeback in extra time as Oviedo fans flooded the pitch in tears of joy.
Cazorla was all smiles at full time as he kissed wife Ursula, having returned to Oviedo out of pure love for the club.
Gabriel urges Arsenal to complete £67m transfer for 'phenomenal' Brazil team-mate Rodrygo amid Real Madrid frustration
7
Cazorla previously hinted at a return to Arsenal
Credit: Getty
The playmaker even wanted to go unpaid, but league rules dictated he had to accept a minimum wage of £80,000 per year.
It now remains to be seen if Cazorla stays for one more season in LaLiga, having undergone a total of 10 operations to leave him in daily discomfort.
Two years of injury hell starting in 2016 saw a bacterial infection eat a 10cm chunk out of his right Achilles and ankle bone.
A bit of Cazorla's hamstring and arm muscle was used to rebuild the tendon.
And he previously declared a return to Arsenal as a coach could be on the cards, saying: 'Arsenal have never closed the door to me.'
Cazorla scored 29 goals in 180 games during his six years at the Emirates while winning two FA Cups.
He also played 81 times for Spain while winning successive Euros, but missed the World Cup victory in 2010 due to a hernia.
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SANTI CAZORLA completed his fairytale swansong with Oviedo after netting to get them promoted back to LaLiga. The ace helped inspire a stunning comeback against Mirandes to seal a return to the top flight after a 24-year absence, prompting an incredible pitch invasion from fans. 7 Santi Cazorla inspired Oviedo to LaLiga promotion Credit: Getty 7 The ace netted a penalty as his side fought back from 2-0 down against Mirandes Credit: Getty 7 Cazorla got a kiss from wife Ursula at full time 7 Fans invaded the pitch in jubilant scenes 7 Players celebrated wildly in the midst of the supporters 7 Oviedo were last in Spain's top flight 24 years ago The former Spain ace started his career with Oviedo's academy in 1996 before going on to star for Villarreal, Malaga and Cazorla, who almost lost his leg due to an infection after numerous Achilles injuries, Oviedo were in the second tier of Spain at the time, having last played in LaLiga in 2001 while even suffering relegation to the fourth division. Cazorla's first campaign back saw his side suffer heartbreak in the playoff final. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL But the minnows are now back in the big time after They doubled their advantage after just 16 minutes to leave Oviedo's hopes of promotion hanging by a thread. But Cazorla stepped up to score a penalty just before half-time, pulling his side back into the game. Oviedo then levelled the tie on the hour mark before Mirandes had a men sent off. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS And the hosts completed their stunning comeback in extra time as Oviedo fans flooded the pitch in tears of joy. Cazorla was all smiles at full time as he kissed wife Ursula, having returned to Oviedo out of pure love for the club. Gabriel urges Arsenal to complete £67m transfer for 'phenomenal' Brazil team-mate Rodrygo amid Real Madrid frustration 7 Cazorla previously hinted at a return to Arsenal Credit: Getty The playmaker even wanted to go unpaid, but league rules dictated he had to accept a minimum wage of £80,000 per year. It now remains to be seen if Cazorla stays for one more season in LaLiga, having undergone a total of 10 operations to leave him in daily discomfort. Two years of injury hell starting in 2016 saw a bacterial infection eat a 10cm chunk out of his right Achilles and ankle bone. A bit of Cazorla's hamstring and arm muscle was used to rebuild the tendon. And he previously declared a return to Arsenal as a coach could be on the cards, saying: 'Arsenal have never closed the door to me.' Cazorla scored 29 goals in 180 games during his six years at the Emirates while winning two FA Cups. He also played 81 times for Spain while winning successive Euros, but missed the World Cup victory in 2010 due to a hernia.
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