Granada have secured promotion from the Segunda Division to La Liga for the first time since 1976 after they defeated Elche on away goals following a tense two-legged play-off that ended 1-1 on aggregate. After a scoreless first-leg, everything was riding on tonight’s game, which the Andalucian club edged thanks to a 28th minute goal from young Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo, who like so many others in the squad, is on loan from parent club Udinese. Home side Elche felt aggrieved after they had a goal disallowed for offside eight minutes later when defender Sergio Pelegrin was controversially adjudged to have been in an offside position when striker Angel’s header found the back of the net. Elche then squandered a golden opportunity to equalise 20 minutes from the end after another questionable decision from the officials, who felt that Jordi Xumetra had been fouled by Guilherme Siquiera even if replays showed no contact had been made. Justice was perhaps done when Roberto saved the subsequent spot-kick from David Generelo. The hosts did manage to equalise 10 minutes from the end to set up a grandstand finish when the aforementioned Xumetra took advantage of Angel’s failure to convert Edu Albacar’s left-wing cross. However, Granada held on and survived the dismissal of their coach Fabri Gonzalez to celebrate their return to La Liga.

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Granada win promotion and return to La Liga after a 35-year absence