MADRID, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Mallorca returned to the Spanish Liga Santander late on Sunday night after completing an incredible fightback against Deportivo la Coruna in the final of the play-offs for promotion from the Spanish second division (Liga 123).
Deportivo had been favorites to make a quick return to the top flight after their 2-0 win in their Riazor Stadium in midweek, but Mallorca overturned that result with a 3-0 second leg triumph in front of their ecstatic fans in Son Moix.
Ante Budimar opened the scoring for Mallorca in the 20th minute, and veteran midfielder Salva Sevilla drew the tie level just after the hour before Abdon Prats sealed promotion for Mallorca nine minutes from time.
It is a remarkable return to the elite for Mallorca, who were last in the Liga Santander in 2013 and were relegated from the second division to the third tier Segunda B in 2017.
However, 2018 saw the club return to the second division and they have needed just one campaign to return to the top flight.
"It's incredible because it was so difficult to achieve. You always have to have faith and now I am very excited at the prospect at coaching in the La Liga, because that is what your dream of. Now we have to prepare to be among the best," said Mallorca coach Vicente Moreno, who has guided the club to back to back promotions.
