This Sunday the League closed on a day in which the classification for the Conference League and the fight for salvation were the battles that captured the emotions of the fans.
After Levante and Alavés were relegated in previous days, three teams reached their last game immersed in the fight for permanence and Granada was, finally, the club that had to leave the First Division, accompanying Valencians and Vitorians. The Andalusian team, which was the one with the best chance to seal permanence, hit rock bottom in Los Cármenes against Espanyol. The rojiblancos tied (0-0) while their rivals to avoid relegation (Cádiz and Mallorca) won their duels and ended up celebrating salvation.
The Granadans had a golden opportunity to save the category in the 72nd minute, when the referee awarded a penalty against Espanyol. Veteran Jorge Molina took on the responsibility of executing it, but his shot went wide. Despite desperate attempts until the last minute to find the saving goal, the team coached by Aitor Karanka ended up being relegated to the Second Division after three years in the top flight.
Dramatic end and disconsolate crying after the final whistle, in the stands and on the pitch, where Jorge Molina was the player who was most affected. A setback for a player who has made history this season, becoming the second oldest footballer to score in the First Division. Two more were added to that record: the oldest to make a triplet and a doublet in the league. At 40 years old, the veteran rojiblanco attacker has lived a third youth throughout the course and has been essential in his team, but on Sunday football was unfair to him because he failed at the worst of times. A penalty that ended up condemning them to relegation. The applause and affection shown by the fans at least served as consolation.
