On a tense Saturday evening in La Liga, Girona FC finally found their breakthrough, clinching a dramatic 2-1 win over Valencia to move off the bottom of the table. This victory, hard-fought and packed with incident, marks Girona’s first win of the 2025-26 season—a crucial result for a side desperate for momentum after a string of early setbacks.
Girona’s night began with a flash of brilliance and ended in a test of nerves. Ukrainian striker Vladyslav Vanat opened the scoring with a stunning strike from outside the penalty area, a goal that not only electrified the Montilivi crowd but also set the tone for a fiercely contested affair. Vanat, who has been under pressure to deliver since his summer arrival, showed exactly why the club invested in his attacking prowess. His goal, a curling shot that left Valencia’s goalkeeper rooted, was as much about confidence as it was about technical skill.
Valencia, never a team to roll over, responded with intent in the second half. Diego López, their young forward, found the equalizer after Girona’s defense momentarily lost its shape. López’s finish was clinical—capitalizing on a loose ball in the box—and for a moment, it seemed as though Girona’s early promise would unravel yet again. The visitors, buoyed by the equalizer, pressed forward, sensing a chance to deepen Girona’s woes.
But the home side refused to let the script play out that way. Barely had the dust settled from Valencia’s goal when Girona struck back. This time it was Arnau Martínez, the versatile defender, who rose highest to nod home from a set-piece. The goal, coming just minutes after the equalizer, was a testament to Girona’s resilience and their ability to respond under pressure. Martínez’s celebration said it all: fists clenched, eyes alight with determination.
Yet, the drama was far from over. In the 80th minute, Girona’s midfielder Iván Martín received his second yellow card and was sent off, leaving his teammates to negotiate the final 10 minutes plus a hefty chunk of stoppage time with only ten men. The tension in the stadium was palpable as Valencia poured forward, throwing everything at Girona’s makeshift defense. For a team that had struggled to hold leads earlier in the season, these moments felt like an eternity.
“We had to dig deep,” said Girona coach in the post-match press conference, his relief evident. “After the red card, everyone knew what was at stake. The players showed incredible heart and discipline.”
Valencia, for their part, will rue missed chances and their inability to capitalize on the numerical advantage. Time and again, they were repelled by a Girona backline that, despite exhaustion, refused to yield. The final whistle brought a roar from the home supporters—relief, jubilation, and perhaps a sense of belief that their season could finally be turning around.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Levante made light work of Oviedo with a 2-0 win on the road. Carlos Álvarez opened the scoring in the 30th minute, latching onto a pinpoint cross from Manu Sánchez and rifling a shot into the top left corner. The goal was a showcase of Levante’s attacking fluidity, with Álvarez’s movement and finish drawing applause even from the home fans.
Oviedo, trailing at halftime, turned to experience to try and change their fortunes. Early in the second half, they introduced 40-year-old Santi Cazorla, the former Spain international and fan favorite. Cazorla’s presence injected some composure into Oviedo’s midfield, but it wasn’t enough to stem the tide. Levante doubled their lead through Cameroonian striker Karl Etta Eyong, who poked home from close range following a corner. The goal sealed the points and kept Levante’s own ambitions on track.
Saturday’s action also saw Athletic Bilbao edge Mallorca 2-1 in a match brimming with intensity. Bilbao’s striker Inaki Williams opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the ninth minute, having drawn the foul himself. Mallorca battled back, with Samu Costa grabbing a late equalizer in the 77th minute. But Bilbao weren’t to be denied: midfielder Alejandro Rego restored the lead just five minutes later, capitalizing on a defensive lapse. The drama peaked when Mallorca’s Antonio Sanchez was sent off in the dying moments, capping a frustrating night for the visitors, who now find themselves at the foot of the table.
With the win, Athletic Bilbao climbed to fifth place, keeping pace with the league’s frontrunners and adding further intrigue to the early-season standings. Mallorca, meanwhile, will have to regroup quickly if they’re to avoid a prolonged spell at the bottom.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid hosted a high-flying Villarreal side, with the visitors seeking a fourth straight league win. The match was billed as a test of Madrid’s title credentials and Villarreal’s staying power among the league’s elite. At the time of writing, the match was still ongoing, with both sides locked in a tactical battle that could have significant implications for the title race.
Looking ahead, defending champions Barcelona are set to face Sevilla on Sunday. However, they’ll be without their teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who is sidelined with a pubic injury. Yamal’s absence is a blow for Barcelona, who have relied on his pace and creativity in the opening weeks of the season. The match promises to be a stern test for both sides, with Sevilla eager to exploit any weaknesses in the champions’ lineup.
For Girona, Saturday’s victory could represent a turning point. Having languished at the bottom of the table, the team’s newfound grit and ability to see out a tense finale will give fans hope for the weeks ahead. “We know it’s just one win,” said Vanat, the night’s opening goalscorer, “but it feels like a new beginning for us.”
As La Liga’s early-season narrative continues to unfold, the drama, unpredictability, and sheer passion on display remind fans why this league remains one of the most captivating in world football. With more twists and turns sure to come, Saturday’s results have already set the stage for another thrilling chapter.
For now, Girona can savor the taste of victory—and the knowledge that, at least for this week, they’ve climbed out of the basement and into the thick of the fight.
