Girona boosted their survival hopes in La Liga after battling to a dramatic 1-1 draw away to European hopefuls Rayo Vallecano at the Estadio de Vallecas.
Fresh from sealing a place in their first-ever European final, Rayo arrived with confidence soaring and quickly took control under head coach Inigo Perez.
The hosts pushed forward from the outset, with Fran Perez proving their most dangerous attacking outlet in the opening stages.
Perez first threatened with an ambitious effort before sending in another dangerous cross that found Sergio Camello, whose header drifted narrowly off target.
The home side continued to dominate possession and territory, but Girona gradually settled into the contest.
The visitors nearly grabbed the opener against the run of play in the 38th minute when Viktor Tsygankov tested Augusto Batalla with a low strike.
Moments before the break, Camello came close again for Rayo, only for Paulo Gazzaniga to produce an outstanding one-handed save to keep the score level at half-time.
Aware of their poor defensive record early in second halves this season, Girona returned after the interval with greater attacking intent.
Tsygankov wasted a promising opening by volleying over the crossbar, but Michel’s side soon thought they had earned a penalty when referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernández pointed to the spot following an apparent handball by Pathé Ciss.
However, after consulting the pitchside monitor, the official overturned his decision, leaving Girona frustrated.
Rayo regained momentum as the game entered its closing stages, with Florian Lejeune forcing another smart save from Gazzaniga with a fierce free-kick.
The breakthrough finally arrived four minutes from time when substitute Alemao reacted quickest inside the area to poke home from close range.
Yet Girona refused to surrender. In a dramatic late twist, substitute Cristhian Stuani rose highest in the 90th minute to head in Tsygankov’s cross and spark wild celebrations among the away players and supporters.
The result prevents Rayo from moving above Real Sociedad in the race for a UEFA Europa League spot, although victory in the UEFA Conference League final against Crystal Palace could still secure European qualification.
For Girona, the late equaliser could prove crucial in the relegation battle, with the Catalan side remaining two points above the drop zone with two league matches left to play.
