Girona extended a strong start to the season by earning a split of points that kept them close to the top, staying in second place behind Barcelona after their 2-4 victory at Nuevo Los Cármenes this Monday. Granada, facing a rough patch, finds themselves in relegation danger after four losses in five matches.
A Catalan powerhouse was ahead of Granada throughout the match, especially dominant in a breathtaking first half that saw them surge to a 0-3 lead thanks to goals from Ukrainian Victor Tsygankov, Brazilian Savio Moreira, and David López.
In the second half, Granada narrowed the gap with strikes from Albanian Myrto Uzuni and Argentine Lucas Boyé, but Girona never allowed the hosts to mount a serious comeback and sealed the win with Yan Couto’s late goal, capping a team performance that featured coordinated play across several teammates.
The decisive factor in the clash was Girona’s sustained pressure from the opening whistle, with the visitors displaying ease on the ball and clear avenues into Granada’s penalty area.
Granada carried an early warning from Artem Dovbyk’s long-range attempt and Ignasi Miquel’s corner that almost found the wrong end of the net, underscoring the visitors’ assertive intent.
Granada appeared unsure on the ball and often exposed defensively, with attempts from Lucas Boyé and José Callejón testing Argentinian goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga and keeping the crowd engaged as they searched for an opening.
Girona opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Tsygankov found the net after a dazzling sequence from Savio Moreira, setting the tone for a dominant first half.
Savio’s creativity and Tsygankov’s sharp finish sharpened the visitors’ advantage, making it 0-2 after Óscar Melendo misplaced a routine ball and Girona capitalized swiftly. The moment underscored Girona’s ruthlessness in transition and their capacity to punish errors.
Three minutes later, in the 34th minute, David López sparked a confrontation in the stands with a calculated challenge and a timely foul to push the score to 0-3.
There was still time before half-time as Tsygankov rattled the post, flirting with a fourth, while Uzuni missed a chance to give Granada a glimmer of hope before the break.
Granada restarted with renewed energy in the second period, Uzuni forcing a save from Gazzaniga while Girona reasserted control, replanting their rhythm and pressing the pace again.
When it appeared the match might be decided, Uzuni pulled one back on the hour mark with a header from a corner after deflecting off Ignasi Miquel, giving Granada a sliver of belief.
Yet the desert mirage of Granada’s comeback faded as Girona adjusted to the shift in momentum and cruised back to control, benefiting from swift ball circulation and smart decisions in the final third, before sealing the result with a fourth goal in open play by Cristhian Stuani.
The drama continued as Lucas Boyé struck to reduce the deficit to 2-3 in the 85th minute, injecting late suspense into the match.
Ultimately, Yan Couto delivered the coup de grâce, guiding the ball home to confirm Girona’s 2-4 victory in the 89th minute, a testament to their cohesive team performance and late game efficiency.
This result solidifies Girona’s position near the top of the table and highlights their ability to adapt after setbacks, a promising sign for supporters in Canada, the United States, and beyond who follow European football with keen interest. This win also serves as a reminder of the league’s competitive balance and the ongoing challenge teams face when confronting a compact attack and quick transitions.
Note: Reports from Movistar Plus+ captured the sequence of events and celebrations following Yan Couto’s decisive late goal, underscoring the intensity of a match that showcased Girona’s precision and resilience throughout the night.