Espanyol fell 0-2 at home to Girona in La Liga’s 20th round after conceding two late penalties. The decisive spots came in stoppage time, giving Girona three crucial points and deepening Espanyol’s fight to escape the relegation zone.
Match Overview and Highlights
The first half featured intense attacks from both sides, with Espanyol midfielders Urko González and Cábala holding possession but failing to create clear chances. In the 45+3 minute, Girona’s young forward Vanat earned a penalty by drawing a defender’s foul, calmly converting with his right foot to lead 1‑0.
Espanyol pushed forward, fielding El Hirari and Cábala in the attack, yet Girona’s defence stayed compact while goalkeeper Tratz produced several key saves. In the 90+2 minute, Girona secured a second penalty; Vanat again stepped up and scored, sealing a 0‑2 victory.
Starting Lineups and Substitutions
Espanyol lined up with Dmitrovic in goal, El Hirari at right‑back, and a midfield quartet of Cábala, Cábala, Romero, and Urko González. Up front, Paul and Exposito led the attack. In the 56th minute, Romero was replaced by Terrats, but the change did not produce a goal.
Girona started with goalkeeper Tratz, centre‑backs Blanco and Milano, midfielders Ferrar and Berato, and Vanat spearheading the forward line.
Recent Form and Context
Espanyol has shown mixed results over the last five matches (2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss) while battling relegation. Girona, on the other hand, entered the match on a strong run of four wins and one draw, positioning themselves in the race for European spots.
Impact on League Standings
The defeat leaves Espanyol in the lower half of the table, needing points from the remaining 14 games to climb out of the danger zone. Girona’s win pushes them into the top‑four contention, narrowing the gap to the European qualification spots.
Conclusion and Outlook
Espanyol’s missed home win highlights persistent scoring issues, prompting a tactical rethink for upcoming fixtures. Girona’s composure in high‑pressure moments underscores their growing momentum, which they must sustain to challenge for a top‑four finish as the season progresses.
