Against a backdrop of biting wind and Cádiz’s pressure, Cádiz shattered Girona’s hopes of a quick rebound, earning a 2-0 victory that underscored Girona’s fragility early in the match. The visitors from Girona, fresh off a win over Valencia, opened with discomfort and found themselves locked in a tough battle that extended their winless run in La Liga to nine games, the third defeat of 2023 for a side still hovering around the lower mid-table. The result left Girona in eleventh place, four points clear of Valencia and dangerously close to the relegation zone.
The strong gusts threatened to cancel the match, but the referee allowed play to go on, and Sergio González’s Cádiz immediately surged—pressuring Girona’s out-ball and suffocating their build-up from the outset. Ocampo’s burst of pace proved deadly for Girona, and their goal concession came within the first ten minutes as Cádiz applied relentless pressure and punished any misplaced clearance.
Cadiz CF opened the score with a precise target-man approach, finally breaking through after a patient buildup that found space on the flank and culminated in a finish that did not hesitate. A notable miss from Sergi Guardiola came earlier, with Theo Bongonda forced into a late defensive save, a moment captured in post-match highlights and referenced by broadcast commentary.
In the end, the Uruguayan winger on Cádiz’s left created the decisive moment, delivering a cross to Escalante that set the stage for the hosts’ second goal. The Catalans endured a difficult first half as Guardiola flashed danger, but Cádiz held firm under wind-assisted conditions and ultimately benefited from the elements as the second goal arrived shortly before the half-hour mark, extending their advantage and heightening Girona’s pressure deficit.
In the second half, the plan shifted. Joel Roca, Riquelme, and Callens came on to replace Toni Villa, Borja García, and the cautioned Bernardo, signaling Cádiz’s intent to shield the lead and exploit counterattacking opportunities. Despite the substitutions, Cádiz maintained discipline, sinking deeper and repelling Girona’s attempts to swing momentum. The persistent wind remained a factor, but Cádiz managed to stabilize their defense and secure a crucial three points in their campaign to stay clear of trouble.