C.D. Leganés could not overcome Rayo Vallecano (1-2) to reach the final of the play-off for promotion to LaLiga Santander. The pepineros, supported by their fans, gave their all to achieve the comeback, dreaming of it with Róber Ibáñez's goal in minute 11, but they could not finish it.
Asier Garitano started the game with four changes compared to the one made three days earlier in Vallecas: Omeruo came in at the center of defense for Sergio González; Rubén Pardo replaced Luis Perea in midfield; and Róber Ibáñez and Kevin Bua started on the wings in place of Avilés and Sabin Merino. However, the biggest novelty was in the stands, with 1,500 pepineros cheering their team from their seats for the first time fifteen months later.
Róber Ibáñez made them dream of a comeback with an early goal in the 11th minute.
C.D. Leganés came out looking for the first goal with chances for Rubén Pardo and Miguel in the first ten minutes. In the third minute, it was 1-0, in minute 11: Javi Hernández opened up for Silva, who put it behind for Róber Ibáñez, with a first-time shot, to beat Luca for the first goal of the afternoon.
The Blue and Whites continued with intensity, trying to reach the Rayista area quickly, playing fast and arriving on the wings. Juan Muñoz and Miguel tried to combine inside, while the fullbacks tried to attack the depth behind the defense. Róber Ibáñez almost scored the second in 41' in an individual action that culminated with a left-footed shot that went just wide of Luca's right post. With 1-0 on the scoreboard, the game went to the break.
Bad fortune allied with the Pepineros in the second half.
Leganés came out with the same intensity in the second half, although with the setback of Jonathan Silva's injury in minute 52, who had to leave his place to Sergio González, moving Javi Hernández to left back. In minute 60, Riesgo had to intervene in a Trejo free kick that went into the net, deflecting the ball well. Róber Ibáñez tried again in minute 61, just before Avilés and Eraso replaced Kevin Bua and Juan Muñoz.
The Pepineros were to be unlucky in 66', when Sergio González headed back a free kick and Riesgo could do nothing to prevent the 1-1. Sabin Merino and Diego García were Asier Garitano's last substitutions, replacing Rubén Pérez and Róber Ibáñez for the last quarter of an hour of the match. However, in 79',
Rayo were to score their second in a counter-attack finished off by Andrés.
The pepineros gave their all until the end and were recognized at the end of the match by the fans who gave their all in search of a place in the final that could not be achieved.
