Girona endured a bruising 6-2 defeat at the hands of Almeria in a high-octane league clash, a result that left the Catalan side seven points from relegation but only six behind the Conference League spots after a game that gave their supporters a tantalizing glimpse of Europe. Under Míchel Sánchez, the team produced a performance that contrasted starkly with the prior setback against Cádiz and offered a night of football that fans will remember for years to come.
Leonidas Castellanos led the line for Girona, supported by the consistency of Víktor Tsygankov and the intelligence of Rodrigo Riquelme, Javi Hernández, Iván Martín, and El Bilal Touré. The Argentine forward opened the scoring in the eighth minute, breaking the deadlock with a decisive header after Arnau Martínez delivered a precise cross from the right. The ball found Castellanos at the far post, and though Fernando stretched to reach it, the ball found the net to give Girona an early lead.
From the outset, Girona showed they were intent on erasing the memory of the Cádiz setback. They pressed with purpose and created chances that hinted at a potential rout. Moments after the opener, Castellanos nearly doubled the advantage when a second strike rattled the post, but the attempt was ruled offside after a VAR review, denying the hosts a swift two-goal cushion.
Almeria, spared by no one, watched as Girona pressed relentlessly. The hosts pulled ahead again in the 34th minute when Riquelme headed home from a middle-of-the-park cross, cementing a 2-0 advantage boosted by Arnau Martínez’s delivery from the right wing. Tsygankov then capped a superb first half by drilling a shot for the fourth goal, with Javi Hernández finishing at the near post to make it 4-0 before the interval.
On the Almeria bench, Rubi watched as the match swung decisively against his side. The Andalusians made alterations at the break, shuffling the lineup in an attempt to stem the bleeding. Yet Girona continued to press, leaving the visitors exposed at the back. The rhythm of the game remained rampant as the clock moved toward the 60th minute, with Tsiygankov orchestrating play and the defense holding firm against Almeria’s forays forward.
Almeria finally found a moment to breathe in the 67th minute when Largie Ramazani pounced to reduce the arrears to 4-1, finishing from close range after a quick build-up on the right. The hosts responded with composure, and Iván Martín extended the lead to 5-1 with an precise right-footed strike from inside the box in the 77th minute. Moments later, Stuani added another, turning in a cross from the left and beating Fernando with the first touch to claim 6-1 on the board and leave little time for a comeback.
The match’s final flourish arrived in the 81st minute when El Bilal Touré added a late consolation for Almeria after getting past Paulo Gazzaniga and lashing into an open goal. Ricard Artero, stepping in at the moment, watched Girona celebrate a comprehensive night at Montilivi, a performance that energized the crowd and left the away side counting the cost of a shaky night in front of a raucous home support.
The end result reflected not only the field dominance but the atmosphere inside Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, where supporters created an electric backdrop that seemed to lift every touch, pass, and shot. The home side displayed sharp ball movement, clever off-ball runs, and a willingness to press high, turning the match into a showcase of attacking intent. Their clinical finishing and the partnership between Castellanos and Tsygankov stood out, painting a picture of Girona as a team capable of troubling even stronger opponents when everything aligns.
Data sheet:
6 – Girona: Gazzaniga; Arnau Martínez, Santi Bueno, Juanpe, Javi Hernández; Romeu, Aleix García; Tsygankov (Toni Villa, min. 65), Borja García (Artero, min. 83), Riquelme (Iván Martín, min. 76); Castellanos (Stuani, min. 76).
2 – Almeria: Fernando; Mendes (Ramazani, min. 46), Ely, Babic, Akieme (Centelles, min. 80); De la Hoz, Samu Costa (Chumi, min 46); Robertone; Baptistao (Arnau Puigmal, min 46), Luis Suárez, Embarba (El Bilal, min 46).
Goals: 1-0 Castellanos, min. 8; 2-0 Tsygankov, min. 34; 3-0 Riquelme, min. 36; 4-0 Hernández, min. 43; 4-1 Ramazani, min. 67; 5-1 Iván Martín, min. 77; 6-1 Stuani, min. 79; 6-2 Touré, min. 81.
Judge: Pizarro Gómez. Yellow cards: Borja García (Girona) and Luis Suárez (Almeria).
The match, the 22nd day of the Santander League, was played in front of 8,872 spectators. A minute of silence honored the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria before kickoff.
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