BARCELONA: Huesca sealed promotion to Spain’s La Liga for the first time in the club’s history with a 2-0 win at Lugo on Monday.

Alejandro Gallar Falguera and Jorge Pulido struck to send small club from northeastern Spain top of the table on 75 points after 40 matches, seven clear of third place Sporting Gijon with two games to go.

Pulido had another effort ruled out for offside but it did not matter, and the club staff piled onto the pitch to celebrate with the players at the fulltime whistle.

Formed in 1910, the club from the Aragon region was created by Barcelona supporters and still wear the same colours as the Spanish champions. Their coach Rubi was a former assistant at the Nou Camp under Tito Vilanova.

Huesca came close to making it to the first division last season but were eliminated by Getafe in the promotion playoffs. They have been in the second division since 2015.

“We fought hard for this, it’s well-deserved,” said Gallar. “I can’t believe it. Huesca is a first-division team. It’s historic. It’s time to celebrate.”

Malaga, Deportivo La Coruna and Las Palmas were the teams relegated to the second division this season.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2018