Espanyol and Deportivo Abanca, two parallel survivals in the top flight
The 'Pericos' and 'Deportivistas' sides have gone into the international break after achieving their goal of survival. Both were relegated to Segunda División in the 2020/2021 season, only to return together to the top flight three seasons later. Last season, they also secured survival as newly promoted sides.
15 APR 2026
Parallel lives. That's how the journey of RCD Espanyol and Deportivo Abanca can be defined. In the 2020/2021 season, both teams were relegated to Segunda División. The Catalan side went down in 16th position with 25 points, eight adrift of safety, while the Galician team marked the drop in 15th place with 29 points, four away from survival. Their spell in the second tier lasted three years, which is how long it took both to return to Liga F Moeve. Deportivo did so directly with 56 points, having suffered only two defeats throughout the season. For their part, the Catalan team achieved it through the playoff, overcoming SE AEM 4-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals, and CA Osasuna 2-3 on aggregate in the final. Last season, both secured survival as newly promoted sides, and this year they have gone into the break already safe.
Survival by beating direct rivals
With six matches remaining, RCD Espanyol secured survival in Liga F Moeve. Sara Monforte's side, who sit in 12th position with 28 points, are just four points away from surpassing last year's total and now, with no pressure, aim to finish as high as possible in the standings. Their safety has been forged by beating direct rivals. Of the seven victories the 'Blanquiazules' have achieved this season, six have come against the four teams still battling to stay in the division. The Catalan team won 1-2 and 2-0 in both matches against SD Eibar, won 0-2 and drew 1-1 against DUX Logroño, beat Alhama CF ElPozo 3-0, and overcame Levante UD 0-1 in the first leg and 1-0 in the second leg to mathematically secure their place in the top flight on the anniversary of the club's first women's football title.
“We deserved to have a slightly calmer season, the second since I've been in Liga F, and to achieve survival is a luxury. Now there are matchdays left to enjoy and to gradually look at where we're going,” confessed Sara Monforte after the match that confirmed safety for the 'Perico' side. Since the arrival of the coach from Castellón, RCD Espanyol has become a very competitive team, capable of competing and beating anyone, anywhere. Despite being the fifth-lowest scoring team in the competition this season (23), the 'Blanquiazules' have managed to make the most of their goals, with four narrow victories. Furthermore, the Catalan side has kept clean sheets on 8 occasions, demonstrating a solid defensive block and fulfilling the objective set at the start of the season.
Riazor to maintain top-flight status
For their part, Deportivo Abanca confirmed their survival in Primera División a week later, one day before playing Atlético de Madrid. The results of Matchday 25 sealed the Galician team's safety, ensuring they will remain in the top flight for another year. They currently sit in 12th position with 26 points, just one shy of last season's total with five matchdays still to play. The continuity of the Deportivo side in the elite cannot be understood without the Riazor factor. In the historic stadium, Fran Alonso's team has secured 61% of their points, managing to pick up points in eight of the twelve matches (four wins, four draws, and four defeats) they have played at home this year. Their first away win, however, came on Matchday 17, leading to a run of three consecutive victories away from home.
Furthermore, the Galician team managed to recover from a run of seven consecutive matches without a win and only securing one victory in the first ten league games. Despite the injury to Millene Cabral, last season's top scorer, Deportivo Abanca has found Esperanza Pizarro, with 6 goals and 2 assists, and Lucía Rivas, with 1 goal and 2 assists, in the second half of the season to complement Ainhoa Marín, who with 5 goals and another 5 assists, continues to lead the Deportivo side. They have maintained the same core squad with which they were promoted to the top flight two years ago. “For the first time in history, we will play in Liga F for three consecutive seasons. An achievement that would not be possible without each and every one of you, 'deportivistas'. Thank you for believing, trusting, and accompanying us every step of the way, even when it was tough at times. Together, we will continue to make history,” the club announced in an emotional video.