At the Estadio Municipal de Montilivi, Girona defied the odds—and a numerical disadvantage—to edge Valencia 2-1 in a fiercely contested La Liga encounter on Saturday afternoon. The Catalan side showed clinical efficiency and defiant spirit, notching a victory that could mark a pivotal point in their campaign.

Girona struck first, stunning the visitors in the 18th minute. Vladyslav Vanat found space inside the box, taking a deft first touch before slotting the ball past Julen Agirrezabala, setting the tone for a resilient display by the hosts. Valencia responded with relentless pressure, dominating possession (55%) and piling up 19 shots, but struggled to convert their advantage into goals.

The breakthrough for the visitors finally arrived in the 57th minute. Arnaut Danjuma burst down the flank and delivered a precise low cross for Diego López, who made no mistake from close range, pulling Valencia level and hinting at a possible turnaround. Valencia's momentum, however, was fleeting.

Just six minutes later, Girona's response was as decisive as it was unexpected. Against the run of play and with limited chances (just 4 shots, all on target), Arnau Martínez pounced on a loose ball from a set piece and drove it beyond Agirrezabala, igniting celebrations in Montilivi.

Valencia surged forward, forcing Paulo Gazzaniga into several crucial saves—including a spectacular stop to deny César Tárrega and another acrobatic effort to tip a powerful volley over the bar. As tempers flared, Girona's composure came under threat: Iván Martín saw red in the 80th minute, leaving the hosts with ten men for the final stretch.

Despite the mounting pressure and their numerical inferiority—marked by two reds and five yellow cards—Girona defended doggedly. Gazzaniga, underlined as a controversial figure pre-match, produced a string of saves to preserve the lead, including a key intervention late on as Valencia desperately sought an equalizer.

The final whistle sparked wild scenes, with Girona securing a victory built on opportunism and grit rather than sustained control. For Valencia, it was a frustrating afternoon: their statistical superiority—more shots, higher possession, and better pass accuracy—yielded nothing but regret and a reminder of football’s unpredictability.

Girona’s victory lifts them in a congested mid-table, while Valencia are left to rue missed chances and defensive lapses. The match’s dramatic swings and tempestuous finish offer further evidence of La Liga’s competitive depth this season.

— Compiled using official match statistics, ESPN coverage, and verified highlights from the beIN SPORTS Thailand YouTube channel (2.17M subscribers).