We explain the tiebreak criteria used in the 2023 promotion playoffs to the First Division, clarifying how matches, extra time, and potential penalties are resolved.
June is traditionally the month when teams dream of reaching the top level of Spanish football through the promotion playoffs. This year, four cities anticipate the qualifying rounds with hopes of stepping up to the First Division next season. The cities involved are Vitoria, Valencia, Albacete, and Eibar, and the clubs contending for promotion are Alaves, Levante, Alabacete, and Eibar.
Playoff for promotion to the First Division 2023: what are the tiebreak criteria in the matches, extra time or penalties
From the outset, only one of these four clubs will earn the right to accompany Granada and Las Palmas on their ascent to Spain’s top football tier. The competition format consists of two semifinals played in a home and away setup, with the winners advancing to the grand final of the playoff. The victor in the final earns a place in the highest level of Spanish football for the following season.
In the first legs, Levante defeated Albacete 3 goals to 1, while Eibar and Alavés ended their match in Ipurúa with a 1-1 draw. Looking ahead to the second leg, it is important to note that the highest total of goals scored away from home does not serve as a decisive factor in this tie. The away-goals rule is not the sole determinant here, which means teams must focus on every minute and every goal in the two legs combined.
Should the aggregate score remain level after 180 minutes of action, the tie proceeds to extra time. If after the additional 30 minutes the teams cannot be separated, there are no penalty kicks in this scenario and the team that finished higher in the regular season standings earns the qualification spot. In this particular case, Levante and Alavés would secure the promotions based on their regular-season performance, if the tie remains deadlocked after extra time. The edges thus created by the regular season record become decisive when extra time does not resolve the outcome.
Put plainly, the structure rewards teams that perform consistently across the season, while also testing their ability to win in the playoffs. Every decision in these fixtures hinges on the on-field results across both legs, with the possibility of extra time acting as a bridge to determine a winner when necessary. The ultimate prize is promotion to the First Division, a goal pursued by clubs and cities alike with the hopes of showcasing their strengths on one of European footballs most storied stages.
Note: the information above reflects the documented format for the 2023 promotion playoffs in Spain and the specific mechanisms used to decide ties when the outcome is not clear after the standard two-legged ties and potential extra time. It emphasizes that the final call can hinge on the regular-season order when extended play cannot produce a winner, underscoring the value of finishing higher in the league table during the campaign just completed.
Attribution: Goal