By Score more Staff
Madrid – Girona made a significant move in the Spanish title race by securing a convincing 3-0 victory against Rayo Vallecano on Monday, propelling them ahead of Barcelona into the coveted second place in La Liga.
Starting the day just one point behind Barcelona, Girona’s strategic performance saw Ukrainian winger Viktor Tsygankov score a crucial goal in the 52nd minute, followed by an injury-time brace from Sávio. This impressive win brought Girona within six points of the league leader, Real Madrid.
The victory marked a triumphant return to winning ways for Girona, putting an end to a three-game streak without a win. After leading the table for a significant portion of the season, Girona faced challenges in February, securing just one point in nine games and suffering defeats against Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.
Despite these setbacks, Girona made a resilient comeback on a challenging night, capitalizing on the sending off of Rayo substitute Pep Chavarría. The victory was initiated in the second half when David López’s well-executed pass breached the Rayo offside trap, setting up Tsygankov’s clinical finish.
Rayo’s troubles intensified when Chavarría, brought on as a substitute in the 64th minute, was shown the red card after committing two fouls within two minutes. Sávio then sealed Girona’s triumph with two late goals, showcasing his skills as a 19-year-old Brazilian talent.
Rayo Vallecano’s struggles continued as they extended their winless streak to seven league games.
Girona’s resurgence into the title race adds further excitement and competition to La Liga, setting the stage for an intense battle for the top spot in the coming matches.