Spanish La Liga. In a match for the 20th round held today at the RCDE Stadium, Girona defeated Espanyol 2-0. According to the Argentine News Agency, the Catalan team secured the victory with a brace from striker Vladyslav Vanat, who converted both penalties. With this win, Girona climbed to ninth place in the standings with 24 points, five points away from the European competition zone. Espanyol, in fifth place with 34 points, has secured a partial spot in the UEFA Europa League. The first chance of the game came from the visitors in the 24th minute when Vanat headed a cross from the left, but the ball went over the bar. Nine minutes later, Girona threatened again with a low, cross-shot from Thomas Lemar after a left-wing cross, which goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic saved. The first penalty of the night was awarded in the 44th minute. Dmitrovic got a hand to it but was called offside. On the retake, Vanat changed his spot and scored 1-0. Espanyol didn't create a serious chance until the 58th minute, when Jofre Carreras made a run down the right and crossed for Roberto Fernández, who couldn't get a touch on the ball. Girona could have extended the lead in the 65th minute with a quick counterattack from Alex Moreno, whose shot from the edge of the area went wide of the post. Four minutes later, the hosts came close again with a header from Leandro Cabrera in the area, but the ball went just over the bar. In stoppage time, a second penalty was awarded for a foul on Colombian midfielder Yaser Asprilla inside the area. Vanat coolly slotted it home to make it 2-0.
