In a Liga clash that doubles as a Copa del Rey knockout, Girona, led by Míchel Sánchez, edged closer to a favorable position with a 3-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano. The win keeps Girona on track in the cup run and extends their impressive domestic form, while Vallecano Vallecano saw their hopes diminish in a match packed with sharp counterattacks and clinical finishing. This result adds to Girona’s growing confidence as they push toward the quarterfinals for a second time in club history.
Cristhian Stuani scored twice and Daley Blind added another key strike to secure the win for Míchel Sánchez’s squad. The Spaniards reached the knockout round’s upper echelons, confirming their advancement to the quarterfinals for the second time, a milestone that underscores the club’s strength in the cup format this season.
The visitors opened the match with intensity, and the pace of the first half-hour set a tone of urgency. Girona recovered from an early scare and then showed their depth, celebrating a 19th win across 24 contests and maintaining an unbeaten run in six matches. Randy Nteka’s late header in the first half provided the lone consolation for Francisco Rodríguez’s team.
The game’s initial moment of anxiety came when Nteka exploited a miscue by Juanpe Ramírez in midfield, racing on goal with Juan Carlos Martín ready. Miguel Gutiérrez intervened, sliding in to disrupt the potential scoring sequence as Girona steadied themselves for the cup tie in Montilivi.
That moment proved to be merely a scare. Girona soon assumed control, dictating tempo and pressing high. Rayo found themselves chased and forced to rely on sporadic transitions as the home side pressed forward with purpose.
The breakthrough arrived in the 15th minute as Viktor Tsygankov, one of Girona’s seven recent signings, delivered a precise pass to Portu who finished decisively. That goal put Girona ahead and helped Stuani notch a 125th goal for the club in competitive play, a milestone that strengthened his standing in the club’s history.
The second goal followed four minutes later when Abdul Mumin earned a controversial penalty for handball against Portu. Stuani calmly converted the penalty with a Panenka-style finish, his tenth goal of the season to date, mirroring his prolific form from the prior campaign.
From there, Girona dominated. Tsygankov and Portu both threatened again before the 26th minute, and Blind tucked in from a corner to extend the lead to 3-0. The play unfolded with Portu at the center, and Blind’s opportunistic near-post finish capped the sequence, marking his third goal in four outings.
Rayo, unable to contain the advancing Girona pressure, pushed forward in search of a reply. Juan Carlos Martin denied a dangerous attempt from Nteka after a well-placed header, and the visiting side briefly steadied their shape as the half closed. The first half concluded with Girona well-positioned and controlling much of the play in Montilivi.
The second period saw Girona rotate their squad to preserve energy for a demanding schedule. Yan Couto and the young Antal Yaakobishvili made early appearances, giving Arnau Martínez and Juanpe a rest while the hosts maintained resilience in defense and attack. The change signaled a strategic approach ahead of a forthcoming league duel against Sevilla, as Míchel balanced freshness with tactical intent.
Gudging moments of threat emerged again for Girona when Nteka pulled a goal back in the 64th minute, cutting the deficit to 3-2 after a shot from a corner found its way through a crowded area despite Juan Carlos’s initial denial. The match remained alive as Vallecano pressed forward, seeking to unsettle a Girona side still capable of breaking on the break.
With ten minutes to play, Falcao of Vallecano forced a late moment at the top of the box, but Antal Yaakobishvili rose to the challenge, intercepting the ball and denying a clear scoring chance. The closing minutes saw Girona defend a final wave of Vallecano pressure as the home side held firm to finish the contest on their terms and delight a Montilivi crowd eager for cup progress.
Data sheet: 3 – Girona FC: Juan Carlos; Arnau, Yan Couto (substituted for Antal in the 46th minute), Juanpe (Antal in the 46th), Blind, Miguel; Solís (Iván Martín, 75), Yangel Herrera (Aleix García, 61); Tsygankov (Valery, 60), Portu, Sávio; Stuani. 1 – Rayo Vallecano: Daniel Cardenas; Andrei, Abdul Mumin, Martín, Pep Chavarría; Óscar Valentín (José Pozo 83), Unai López; Isi (Álvaro 66), Nteka, De Frutos (Falcao 76); RDT (Trejo 66).
Goals: 1-0, 15th min: Stuani; 2-0, 19th min: Stuani, penalty; 3-0, 26th min: Blind; 3-1, 36th min: Nteka. Referee: Figueroa Vázquez. Attendance: 7,911 at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi. The match served as a Copa del Rey round of 16 fixture, with Girona securing a decisive win as the home side and advancing to the next stage with an emphatic display.