Valencia claimed a crucial 2-1 victory over Girona at Estadio de Mestalla, with Largie Ramazani and Umar Sadiq securing the win despite the visitors' spirited second-half comeback.
Valencia entered the contest sitting 14th in La Liga with 36 points from 32 matches. Girona occupied 13th place with 38 points, just two points ahead. Both teams needed a positive result to distance themselves from the relegation battle. The home side arrived in poor form, having won just one of their last five matches.
The first half unfolded as a tense affair at Mestalla. Valencia controlled possession but created limited clear-cut opportunities. Girona defended compactly and looked to strike on the counter-attack. Renzo Saravia received a yellow card in the 38th minute for a reckless challenge. Moments later, Alejandro Moreno picked up a booking for the visitors as tensions rose.
The opening goal arrived early in the second half. Ramazani broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, firing past Paulo Gazzaniga to spark celebration among the home crowd. Valencia's pressure continued to build as they sought a second goal.
Sadiq doubled Valencia's advantage just nine minutes later. The striker finished clinically in the 59th minute to put the hosts in a commanding position. However, Girona refused to surrender. Joel Roca pulled one back in the 63rd minute, reigniting their hopes of a comeback.
From that point, Girona dominated possession and territory. The visitors controlled 64% of the ball and peppered Valencia's goal with attempts. Yet Valencia's defense held firm despite intense pressure. The home side's expected goals of 1.23 proved decisive against Girona's 1.1 xG.
Valencia managed just three shots on target but made them count. Girona created more opportunities with 3 shots on target from 4 total attempts, but Ramazani's early strike proved the difference-maker. The hosts completed 306 passes with 79% accuracy, while Girona strung together 552 passes at 86% accuracy.
Both teams received yellow cards late in the match. Cristian Stuani was cautioned in the 90+3rd minute, while Gonzalo Rodriguez saw yellow in the 90+9th minute as the game became increasingly fractious.
This victory moves Valencia to 39 points with a game in hand over Girona. The three points provide breathing room in their fight for safety. Girona, meanwhile, remains at 38 points but faces mounting pressure as the season enters its final stretch.
Valencia's defensive resilience proved crucial. Despite Girona's second-half barrage, the home team weathered the storm effectively. Gazzaniga made one save while Valencia's goalkeeper produced two crucial stops.
The result carries significant implications for both clubs' survival hopes. Valencia now sits one point behind Girona with momentum on their side. Girona must respond quickly to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap. Both sides face critical matches ahead as the campaign draws toward its conclusion.
