Girona clinched a 2‑0 victory over RCD Espanyol in the Catalan derby thanks to two stoppage‑time penalties scored by Ukrainian forward Vladyslav Vanat. The first spot‑kick came in first‑half added time, and the second followed six minutes into second‑half added time, turning a tightly contested match into a decisive win and extending Espanyol’s winless streak.
Match Summary: Vanat’s Penalties Decide the Derby
First Half Penalty Breaks the Deadlock
In the 90+2 minute of the first half, Girona launched a swift counter‑attack that forced a back‑pass inside the Espanyol box. Vanat stepped up, calmly placing the ball past goalkeeper Álvaro Fernández to give Girona a 1‑0 lead.
Second Half Penalty Secures the Win
Six minutes into added time of the second half, a cleared corner fell to Vanat inside the penalty area. After a foul was called, he again demonstrated composure, sending the ball low to the left corner for a 2‑0 advantage that held until the final whistle.
Implications for Espanyol
Recent Form and Relegation Threat
Espanyol entered the match on a three‑game winless run (1 draw, 2 defeats) and sat near the bottom of La Liga with 31 points after 26 fixtures. The loss extended their slump to three games and heightened pressure on manager Diego Alonso.
- Last 10 league games: 3 wins, 1 draw, 6 losses
- Goals scored: 28 (second‑lowest in the league)
- Relegation zone proximity: within 3 points
Tactical Concerns for Diego Alonso
Alonso’s reliance on a back‑three formation has left the midfield isolated, limiting creative chances in the final third. The defeat may force a tactical reshuffle, potentially introducing a more attacking midfield presence to revive Espanyol’s goal‑scoring threat.
Girona’s Momentum
Winning Streak and League Position
The derby win lifts Girona to 12th place with 34 points, two spots above the relegation zone. It marks their third consecutive victory—a streak not seen since November 2024—and keeps them in contention for a comfortable mid‑table finish.
Vanat’s Emerging Role
At 23, Vanat has already netted five goals this season, three from the penalty spot. His composure under pressure makes him a crucial asset as Girona looks to consolidate its La Liga status and potentially target a European berth in the closing weeks.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Fixtures
Espanyol vs Valencia
Espanyol travel to face Valencia CF on Saturday. A win is essential to halt their slide and protect against further relegation risk.
Girona vs Athletic Bilbao
Girona will host Athletic Bilbao next. Securing another victory would extend their impressive run to four games and widen the gap with their Catalan rivals.
