Real Madrid Castilla 3-0 Barça Atlètic: Promotion dream over

After winning 4-2 at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, Barça were very well poised indeed for a place in the final of the playoff for promotion to the second division, but it all went wrong on Sunday and it will be the Real Madrid reserves who face Eldense in the deciding fixture after they won Sunday's second leg 3-0, the deciding goal coming right at the end of regulation time and from the penalty spot.

Two-goal lead cancelled out

Barça wisely took a caution first approach to the early stages, knowing that they had a two-goal cushion to defend, but their initial confidence was rocked when Carlos Dotor headed in after 21 minutes.

They were faced by the difficult choice of two options. Either to fly back at Madrid and try to put two goals between them again, or concentrate on keeping things tight at the back and hold on for what was still the right result for their interests.

Rafa Marquez largely opted for the latter, and the gambit was paying off brilliantly. They soaked up the constant Madrid pressure and there was surprisingly little for Astralaga to do in the Barça goal.

In fact, the best chances were still falling Barça's way, and the very active Estanis looked to have equalised but the ball had actually struck the side-netting.

And then, in a very similar move to their first goal, Madrid struck again with just 12 minutes to go. Iker Bravo headed in the cross, and Barça were two-down on the night, and 4-4 on aggregate.

Penalty woe

The game was heading for extra time, although there would not have been penalties. Due to placing higher in the regular season table, Madrid would win in the case of a draw.

But ultimately none of that would matter. The impetus was now with Madrid and buoyed by the vociferous home fans, they pushed forward in search of the killer blow, while Barça seemed to be running short of ideas.

Astralaga produced a stunning late save to keep Barça in the game, but deep into injury time, the referee spotted a Dionkou handball inside his area, and Sergio Arribas converted the penalty that put paid to Barça's promotion hopes once and for all.

It was such a frustrating end to a wonderful season. For although second division football was looking a very, very realistic possibility for next season, instead Barça Atlètic will be remaining in Primera Federación.

MATCH STATS

Barça Atlètic: Astralaga, Dionkou, Carbonell, Chadi Riad, A. Núñez; M. Casadó, Moha M, Aleix Garrido (Txus Alba 83’); Estanis (Lamine Yamal 65’), Roberto & Luismi Cruz.

Madrid Castilla: Luis López; Álvaro Carrillo, Rafa Marín, Marvel; Pablo Ramón, Álvaro Marín (Iker Bravo 74’), Mario Martín, Dotor, Peter (Óscar Aranda 74’); Álvaro Rodríguez (Sergio Arribas 59’), Nico Paz (Gonzálo García 59’).

Goals: 1-0, Carlos Dotor (min. 21), 2-0, Iker Bravo (min.78), 3-0 Sergio Arribas (min. 90+4)