After three winless matches, Girona roared back to form with a convincing 3-0 victory over 10-man Rayo Vallecano at Estadi Montilivi. This win not only snapped their losing streak but also propelled them back to second place in La Liga, marking their third victory against Vallecano this season across all competitions.
The first half was a tight affair, with both teams struggling to create clear opportunities. However, things started heating up in the second half as Girona came out with renewed purpose. Just five minutes after the break, Sávio orchestrated a brilliant move, setting up Viktor Tsygankov for a shot that forced a good save from Vallecano’s goalkeeper, Dimitrievski. The pressure continued to mount, and two minutes later, Tsygankov found the back of the net for his sixth goal of the season, expertly guiding the ball into the bottom corner.
Vallecano had their chances, with top scorer Álvaro García coming close to leveling the score but failing to beat Girona’s goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga. Their hopes for an equalizer were further dashed shortly afterward when substitute Pep Chavarria received two yellow cards within a minute, reducing them to ten men.
Despite being a man down, Vallecano continued to fight, and Dimitrievski pulled off a remarkable save to deny Cristhian Stuani late in the game. However, their efforts were ultimately in vain as Girona capitalized on their numerical advantage. Sávio put the game beyond doubt with two goals in injury time, showcasing his composure and finishing skills.
This win is a significant boost for Girona, not only because it ends their winless run but also because it strengthens their Champions League aspirations. For Rayo Vallecano, the defeat extends their winless streak since the beginning of January, leaving them in a precarious position.
Man of the Match: Sávio (Girona)
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