Racing Santander end 14-year wait for LaLiga return

Racing Santander confirmed their return to La Liga on Saturday with a commanding 4–1 victory over Valladolid at El Sardinero, securing one of the two automatic promotion places with two matches still to play. One of the founding clubs of the Spanish league, Santander now lead the Segunda División by seven points and cannot be caught by third‑placed Almería, who squandered a late advantage in a 2–1 home defeat to Las Palmas.

Deportivo La Coruña, who played later, could still challenge for the title but not for Santander’s promotion spot. The achievement marks the club’s first top‑flight appearance since the 2011–12 season, when they finished bottom before suffering a further relegation to the third tier the following year. Last season, Santander reached the promotion playoffs but were eliminated in the semi‑finals. This time, their consistency has delivered a decisive breakthrough, restoring the club to Spain’s elite after more than a decade away.