Cristhian Stuani’s latest strike earned Girona an entertaining 3-2 win over Real Betis on Sunday, keeping the minnows on course for Champions League qualification. Michel Sánchez’s side had fallen seriously out of form after league leaders Real Madrid had been close to the title race for most of the season, but Stuani’s goal secured their third win in eight games. Two errors from David Lopez gave Betis striker Willian Jose two goals to equalize Girona striker Artem Dovbyk’s goals twice, but experienced Uruguayan striker Stuani had the final say.
Third-place Girona leads fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao by nine points before the Basque team visits Real Madrid later on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid are 10 points behind fifth-placed and face Villarreal on Monday.
With eight games to go, Girona is seven points behind Los Blancos and two points behind second-place Barcelona, who defeated Las Palmas on Saturday.
“Until qualifying is mathematically determined, we will continue to work and prepare for competitions as if they were the last,” Stuani told DAZN.
“We are on the right track, we have had a historic year and let’s end it on the best possible note.”
In a rainy Montilivi Stadium, the two sides battled intensely, without creating much in the opening stages.
Finally, the hosts had the chance to break the deadlock when Chadi Riad handled Dovbyk’s header.
The Ukrainian calmly slotted home from the spot to send his side ahead after 36 minutes, although they did not hold the lead for long.
In stoppage time, Lopez gave the ball away with a careless pass and Jose quickly lobbed home from more than 30 yards out, with Paulo Gazzaniga out of his goal.
Girona took the lead again after a good move, finished by Dovbyk. The striker slotted home after Portu put him through on goal after 65 minutes, his 16th goal, moving him level with Madrid’s Jude Bellingham as La Liga’s top scorer.
Betis were soon level again after another mistake by Lopez. Jose was the beneficiary again.
The defender stuck a leg behind him in an attempt to hook away a cross but missed it and Jose checked before firing home.
It looked like Girona were going to drop more points until Stuani acrobatically finished from close range in stoppage time after his first effort was saved.
“Fortunately, this goal ultimately gave us the points,” said Stuani.
“It’s a unique feeling, difficult to explain, but the most important thing is three points for the team.”
Fans celebrated wildly in the pouring rain at the end as their European dream took another step towards becoming a reality. It would be a remarkable achievement for a club that is in the top flight for only the fourth season in their history.
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