In a dramatic final day of the 2025-26 La Liga season, Girona’s relegation was confirmed just 16 months after their historic Champions League debut, capping off a turbulent campaign for the Catalan side. The club, partially owned by City Football Group and led by chairman Pere Guardiola, brother of outgoing Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, drew 1-1 with Elche at Estadi Montilivi—a result that sealed their fate and sent shockwaves through Spanish football.
Girona entered the weekend knowing only a win would give them a fighting chance at survival. Sitting 18th, two points adrift of Elche in 17th, the odds were stacked against them. The tension was palpable as both teams took to the field, each with their La Liga status on the line. Elche, meanwhile, needed just a draw to ensure safety, and they played with that in mind, keeping things tight and organized from the outset.
The first half saw Elche take the lead in spectacular fashion. In the 38th minute, Alvaro Rodriguez produced a moment of individual brilliance, performing two keepy-uppies before spinning and unleashing a half-volley into the top corner. The Girona crowd fell silent, stunned by the audacity and precision of the strike. That goal meant Girona’s hopes were hanging by a thread. According to the match report, "Alvaro Rodriguez put Elche ahead in the 38th minute at Estadi Montilivi on Saturday with a remarkable piece of individual skill, performing two keepy-uppies before spinning and sending a half-volley into the top corner."
But Girona weren’t done yet. Early in the second half, Arnau Martinez found the net from close range, sparking a glimmer of hope among the home supporters. The equalizer set up a frantic finish, with Girona pouring forward in search of the winner that would spare them from the drop. Despite their efforts, Elche held firm, and the final whistle confirmed what many had feared: Girona would join Mallorca and Real Oviedo in the second division next season.
The result was particularly painful for Girona, who had finished third in La Liga just two seasons ago—a campaign that saw them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history. Their meteoric rise had captured the imagination of fans across Europe, but their fall from grace has been just as dramatic. As the club’s recent form shows, they finished the current season without a win in their last eight league games, a run that ultimately proved fatal.
Girona’s journey through the Spanish football pyramid has been nothing short of remarkable. Promoted to La Liga for the first time in 2017, they were relegated two years later, only to bounce back in 2022. The 2023-24 season saw them lead the league until December and secure a historic third-place finish. However, the subsequent years have been a struggle, with the team finishing 16th in 2024-25 and battling relegation for much of the current campaign. Their first league win this season didn’t come until October 4, and while a brief surge in December and January offered hope, their late-season collapse left them with no margin for error.
Meanwhile, Mallorca’s fate was similarly cruel. Despite a convincing 3-0 win over already relegated Real Oviedo, they finished level on 42 points with Osasuna and Levante. The head-to-head tiebreaker consigned Mallorca to the drop, a bitter pill for a team that had fought valiantly to the end. Mallorca midfielder Sergi Darder summed up the mood, stating, "I am torn up. It's our fault we are going down."
Elsewhere, the battle for European places provided its own drama. Celta Vigo secured sixth place and a Europa League berth with a 1-0 win over Sevilla, while Getafe clinched seventh and Conference League qualification by defeating Osasuna 1-0. These results capped off a fiercely competitive race for continental football, with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, and Real Betis having already locked up Champions League spots before the final round.
There was also a sense of finality for several La Liga legends. At Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium, Robert Lewandowski scored in his last game for Barcelona, netting his 120th goal for the club in a 3-1 defeat. The 37-year-old striker, who spent four seasons with the Blaugrana, will part ways with the club this summer. Barcelona had already clinched the league title with three rounds to spare, a testament to their dominance throughout the campaign.
At the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid bid farewell to two stalwarts. Dani Carvajal, making his 451st and final appearance for the club, received a standing ovation and wept as he was substituted. The veteran right back, whose contract is expiring, assisted Gonzalo García for the opening goal in Madrid’s 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao. Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé also found the net, with Carvajal reflecting on his career: "Today I can't stop recalling the golden age we shared." Carvajal’s tenure at Madrid included six Champions League titles since 2013, cementing his legacy as one of the club’s greats. Defender David Alaba also played his last match for Los Blancos, marking the end of another distinguished career.
The managerial situation at Real Madrid remains uncertain. Álvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso midway through the season, bowed out after failing to secure any silverware, with the club finishing second in the league. Spanish media is abuzz with speculation that José Mourinho could be poised for a sensational return to the Bernabeu, though nothing has been confirmed at this stage.
Elsewhere in the league, former Chelsea defender César Azpilicueta brought the curtain down on his illustrious career, playing his final professional match when Sevilla visited Celta. Azpilicueta’s achievements include two Premier League titles and the 2021 Champions League as Chelsea captain, a fitting legacy for a player who has given so much to the game.
As the dust settles on a season of highs and lows, the stories of Girona and Mallorca’s heartbreak, Barcelona’s triumph, and the farewells of several icons will linger long in the memory. For Girona, the challenge now is to regroup and plot a return to the top flight—a task that will require resilience, smart management, and, perhaps, a little bit of luck. La Liga, as ever, promises more twists and turns when the new campaign kicks off.