A goal that will go viral revives Girona in San Sebastián

GironaIt was like a miracle. When Girona was already anticipating another defeat in San Sebastián, Tsygankov emerged (1-2). In eight minutes, from the 76th to the 84th, the Ukrainian scored a brace that finally lifted Girona out of the relegation zone. Even though the entire matchday remains to be played, even if only provisionally, seeing the Girona team above the bottom three positions in the standings changes everything. This hadn't happened since matchday 1, a distant August 15th.

When bonds are combined, things happen. And perhaps the team isn't at its best collectively, but there's no doubt that Montilivi has some good players. Ounahi is one, surely the main one. The Moroccan, with free rein to create, has been leading the attack for days with moments of brilliance. But Tsygankov is another. He's spent many months dormant, infected by the negative inertia surrounding the locker room, but if the Ukrainian is supported, he responds.

And he did it brilliantly, against Real Sociedad, who already had the game in hand, but were left wanting. Tsygankov was largely responsible. He had already done his part by converting a moment of brilliance from Ounahi to equalize, because although the point wouldn't lift Míchel's men out of dire straits, a point is always better than none. But he saved the best for last. With four minutes remaining, he provided the spark after an assist from Àlex Moreno and completed a comeback that will boost the morale of a Girona side that held on through stoppage time like true heroes.

8 points out of 15

Míchel's team has once again averted what would have been yet another crisis this season, after a week of considerable noise in which the coach publicly refused to allow Livakovic to start in goal. Aside from last week's defeat in Elche, the team, which secured its first away win of the season, has accumulated two wins and two draws in five matches. That's eight points out of a possible 15. Respectable numbers indeed.

Tsygankov, however, forced a rewrite of match reports, as it didn't seem like a day to celebrate. And some eyes were already turning, once again, to the goalkeeper. Gazzaniga wasn't primarily responsible for the goal, but he also didn't inspire confidence in the play where Guedes opened the scoring in the first half. A simple long-range assist from Zubeldia tore apart the defense, which once again betrayed its goalkeeper: Arnau and Vitor Reis were caught out of position, breaking the offside trap, and others jumped too late. Consequently, the Portuguese player faced the Argentine and beat him. He scored at his own post, but the play was a series of errors. Now, however, that doesn't matter at all. After how hard it was to escape relegation, Girona won't be nitpicky.