In a gripping La Liga clash at the RCDE Stadium, Girona found themselves frustrated in the 85th minute as Yangel Herrera headed home to restore parity, leaving Espanyol briefly on level terms and the scoreboard showing a 2-2 after a turbulent second half. Puado and Joselu had sparked a late surge for Espanyol, turning the tide after a nervy, momentum-shifting period. The home side had a prior spell of control, yet the visitors miraculously flipped the script, ensuring a dramatic point that barely altered Girona’s standing on the table.
Early in the night, Girona attacked with intent. Álvaro Fernández had to be sharp in goal to deny the opening goal as Castellanos met Aleix García’s precise cross with a reflexive save. The home side carried that pressure forward, and Braithwaite’s attempt in the 19th minute narrowly missed, although Gazzaniga had to react quickly to keep the score sheet clean.
For large stretches, the contest lacked a clear decision-maker, but Girona appeared the more incisive side. Riquelme, a troublesome presence for Diego Martínez’s defense, forced a reaction and drew a remarkable save from the Espanyol keeper, who parried the ball against the near post just before the halftime whistle. The momentum kept tilting toward Girona as the first half drew to a close.
With the restart, the tactical switch from Diego Martínez paid immediate dividends. Puado entered the fray for Edu Expósito, aiming to strengthen Espanyol’s midfield balance and address Girona’s quick transitions. A corner from Braithwaite was converted into a leveling header, underscoring the visitors’ growing confidence and willingness to contest every ball in the box. The match then opened up as both teams showed their teeth in pursuit of three points.
Gazzaniga continued to be tested, often twice in quick succession, as Castellanos imposed himself and Girona sought a second. The game’s tempo climbed as Girona withdrew Stuani from the fray in the 71st minute, refreshing attacking ideas with a forward presence that could stretch Espanyol’s backline and create late opportunities. The tactical chess match intensified, turning the final period into a high-stakes duel between two determined teams.
The action reached a fever pitch in the final minutes, captured by a last-ditch scramble that felt like a season-defining moment. Joselu struck to make it 2-1 in the 76th minute, receiving a well-placed cross from Brian Oliván after an effective buildup with Puado, and the season’s leading scorer for Espanyol looked perfectly set to seal the three points. Yet the visitants were not finished. In a repeat of a familiar pattern, a set piece or a subtle touch from Yan Couto pulled Girona level in the 85th minute with a precise header that once again beat the stretched Espanyol defense and keeper Gazzaniga. Herrera’s late equalizer offered a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in this league, especially when aerial threats converge on the six-yard box.
As the final whistle approached, both sides pressed for a winner, but the defenses held firm. The draw left Espanyol with a point that reflected their resilience and late-game flashes, while Girona walked away with renewed belief that they can contest top-tier rivals on equal terms. The atmosphere at the stadium reflected the tension and excitement of a match that hung in the balance until the very end, a reminder of why La Liga remains one of the most competitive leagues in the world. The aftermath featured social chatter and post-match analyses, but the core takeaway was clear: a dramatic encounter that delivered impactful moments, shared by two teams locked in a battle for position and pride in the table.