An Alberto Saavedra goal saw Villarreal earn promotion to the top flight of Spanish football
Today, 24th May 2021, is the 23rd anniversary of Villarreal’s much dreamed-about first promotion to the top flight of Spanish football. It happened at the Estadio Multiusos de San Lázaro where the Submarine beat Compostela in the promotion play-offs. In fact, it was the end of the Sant Pasqual regional festivities, and it looked tough and everyone was nervous, but a great Alberto Saavedra goal changed the entirety of the town’s panorama. On 24th May 1998, Villarreal were promoted to the top flight after surprising Santiago de Compostela with a draw (1-1) which send the Submarine to the top of Spanish football.
The Yellows were able to overcame a goalless draw at home and Compostela were favourites – they were the top-flight team – to get the win at the Multiusos de San Lázaros. It was the Yellows who went ahead with a spectacular right-footed shot from outside the box, that ended up winning promotion. The away team and their supporters didn’t have it easy though. In the 75th minute, Chiba equalised for the Galician side and the Yellows had a tense last 15 minutes before euphoria at the full-time whistle.
Since then, Villarreal CF has played in the top flight of Spanish football for a total of 21 seasons, even finishing runners-up on one occasion (2007/08 season). In Europe, the Yellows reached the UEFA Europa League final this season, when they will face Manchester United. Furthermore, they also reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in their first participation in the competition, eventually being knocked out by Arsenal (2005/06 season). The Submarine have played European football in 14 different seasons (16 including the Intertoto Cup). Impressive.
