The moment came at 22 hours 44 minutes. After nearly 130 minutes of feverish drama, the referee González Díaz raised his hand, signaling the end of overtime, a final whistle sealing a 2-3 victory that had been hotly contested. Pepico Amat erupted as Castilla celebrated a late penalty converted in the 116th minute. Eldense had not tasted a home defeat at Nuevo Pepico Amat in fourteen months, and this night would mark a milestone in its recent history, a cruel coincidence of triumph and near heartbreak.
Juanto Ortuño struck in the 116th minute, unleashing a frenzy as a three-goal sequence breathed new life into the Barça side. The draw opened the door to victory for the Catalan club, dating back 59 years to their return to professional football. A crowd of 4,089 filled the stadium and roared their support, spilling onto the pitch in moments of celebration. Even the injured Álex Martínez, who endured the tense ending, could hardly believe the spectacle unfolding before him.
The dream had become a reality. The town famed for its shoes would again host professional football. Sunday, June 25, 2023, would leave a lifelong mark on Eldense as the club reclaimed its place in the national league system.
It was a day thick with tension, nerves, emotion, and tears, a drama that wavered through eight unforgettable minutes. Two hours before kickoff, the Nuevo Pepico Amat precinct already wore the atmosphere of a major event. Barça jerseys and scarves dotted the crowd, while supporters gathered in Plaza de la Ficia to amplify the electric mood.
Meanwhile, two Real Madrid Castilla coaches arrived, with Raúl González Blanco guiding the squad. Family members of the White club’s players offered greetings and encouragement at every chance, sharing in the anticipation of what lay ahead.
Shortly after 6:30 p.m., a caravan of supporters appeared on Avenida de Ronda, echoing chants, fireworks, and Barça colors. The familiar Deportivo hymn rang from the stands, adding to the infectious pregame energy.
The stands were packed a full ninety minutes before kickoff. As the players stepped onto the field, Eldense played its anthem. A banner reading For those before and now framed the stage, a reminder that it had taken fifty-nine years to reach Spanish professional football again.
Yet Real Madrid Castilla struck early with two goals, provoking a chorus of jubilation from white-clad fans in one corner. In the heat and under dark clouds, the electronic scoreboard read 0-2, threatening a swift reversal of fortune. The momentum swung, and a late rally was sparked by Nieto, who opened the door to hope as the first half ended with renewed belief.
From disappointment to renewed belief
In the second half, the pace intensified. Carlos Hernández leveled the score, forcing overtime and testing Eldense’s resolve. The team’s renewed energy, driven by the crowd and their own tenacity, carried them forward through a night that felt endless. The match teetered on a knife edge as the tension refused to ease.
The match went to extra time as the atmosphere became almost suffocating with suspense. Eldense’s persistence paid off yet again in the 114th minute when Juanto Ortuño struck to push the Catalans into a dramatic late lead. Another tense stretch followed, with a potential whistling blue and red decision shaping the final outcome. In a stadium filled with heat and expectation, a moment of doubt lingered, only to be dispelled by the final whistle and a historic 2-3 result that crowned Deportivo Eldense as Second Division participants once more.
Fernando Estévez
Eldense’s manager Fernando Estévez appeared in the press room after celebrations on the pitch, with players and staff celebrating together. The moment was personal and telling as the team reflected on the climb from the lower rungs to this pinnacle, sharing stories of perseverance and the long road traveled to reach this point.
Asked about the belief in the team’s potential, Estévez offered a wry smile and a hopeful outlook for the future, noting that belief grows when the young players see real possibility in the near term.
He then acknowledged the extraordinary effort of the squad throughout the season, including the challenge of losing a key player to injury and the absence of another important figure. He spoke of a collective reinvention that carried the club through adversity, noting that a controversial late call had the team swimming against the current once again. Still, resilience and hard work delivered the triumph.
After the celebration, Eldense’s players and coaching staff were acknowledged for their persistent labor and the way they transformed a difficult season into a defining moment for the club and its supporters.
In summary, Eldense’s ascent was not just about a single match; it was a testament to a city’s passion for football, its enduring support, and a club that refused to quit when the odds looked worst. The promotion etched into the club’s history would be remembered for decades as a turning point that reconnected Eldense with Spain’s professional leagues.