Mallorca 4 - Oviedo 2

Mallorca: Miki; Olaizola, Siviero, Nadal, Miguel Soler; Finidi (Biagini 67'), Engonga (Francisco Soler 55'), Marcos, Ibagaza; Eto'o, Luque (Novo 60'). 4-4-2.
Oviedo: Esteban; Gaspar, Danjou, Boris, Rabarivony; Jaime (Raúl 73'), Onopko; Paunovic, Tomic (Geni 62'), Iván Ania; Oli. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Mallorca: Siviero for Fernando Niño / Oviedo: No change.

Goals:
1-0. 37. Engonga (penalty). After Rabarivony pulled down Eto'o.
2-0. Eto'o. Following up after Luque shot partly blocked by Esteban.
2-1. 60. Oli. Got ahead of defence to head in Iván Ania free kick.
3-1. 64. Ibagaza. Picked up ball in midfield and ran on to drive low past keeper.
3-2. 78. Iván Ania. Bent free kick over wall and into top corner of net.
4-2. 91. Novo. Chipped keeper from edge of area after pass from Ibagaza.

Luis Aragonés condemned Radomir Antic to the second division for the second season in a row in a festival atmosphere at the San Moix stadium. Last year Aragonés was in charge of his opponents today, Real Oviedo, and Antic was in his third brief spell at Atlético Madrid, losing his job soon after his team's defeat at the hands of the Asturians. The Serbian could be on the street again this time, but if he stays on he will be facing Aragonés again next season, with fate completing the circle and taking the veteran manager back to his beloved Atlético Madrid for his first ever spell in the second division. Aragonés was named this year as the league's best manager, and he has taken Mallorca to their equal best position in the table and their best ever tally of points after winning this match. Chasing Deportivo for second place he named a virtually unchanged side, with Siviero replacing the injured Fernando Niño as they went for their fifth victory in a row. Antic named the same side for the sixth match in a row, needing a point to be sure of saving the side from relegation.

A capacity crowd turned up to see off their manager, and the crowd started partying well before kick off. Only Esteban spoilt the fun early on, saving from a Luque header with only a minute or so gone, and then referee Medina Cantalejo ruled out a Danjou own goal with the young striker standing in an offside position. Mallorca's domination continued, and the pressure eventually paid off, Engonga scoring from the penalty spot after Rabarivony pulled down Eto'o in the penalty area after he seemed certain to score. Medina pulled out the red card for the French defender, and Oviedo were down to ten men. Bad news filtered in from other grounds, Osasuna were winning, and when Eto'o added a second shortly after half time after a mix up between Esteban and Danjou, Oviedo started to get desperate. Oli gave them some hope for a time, heading home Iván Ania's free kick, but a brilliant solo goal by Ibagaza a few minutes later sank them once again.

Luis brought on Paco Soler and the club captain almost added a fourth with a fierce shot against the bar. Ania did pull one back again from a well executed free kick, but substitute Novo ended the visitors' hopes when he chipped Esteban for a fourth goal in injury time. The Oviedo players collapsed in tears as confirmation came in that they were relegated after twelve years in the top flight. Mallorca failed in their objective to take second spot, but the fans applauded Aragonés as the players drenched him in champagne. They end the season on 71 points, which last year would have given them the league title. They have to make do though with third place, and will play the qualifying round for the Champions League in mid August. Some of their best players may not be there, with cash needed from transfers to make the books balance, and a new manager will be in charge. However the players are convinced that they will not fail as they did two years ago when they lost to Molde of Norway at the same stage, and there is a new found confidence at the club. The party raged on well into the night.