Girona FC finally climbed out of the relegation zone after 14 difficult rounds, claiming a dramatic and long-awaited victory away at Real Sociedad. The hero of the night at the Reale Arena was Viktor Tsygankov, whose second-half brace turned the game on its head and secured a 2–1 comeback win for the Catalan side.

The hosts dominated large spells of the first half, playing with greater intensity and purpose. Their pressure paid off in the 35th minute when a costly mistake in Girona's central defence allowed Gonçalo Guedes to break through on goal and calmly finish the one-on-one to give Real Sociedad a deserved lead.

After the break, the balance of the game shifted. One Ukrainian left the pitch early in the second half as Vladyslav Vanat, largely isolated before the interval, was substituted. From that moment on, Girona began to dictate the tempo, enjoying more possession and patiently probing in search of an equaliser.

The breakthrough arrived in the 76th minute. Azzedine Ounahi timed his pass perfectly to find Tsygankov arriving in the box, and the Ukrainian winger showed superb technique to volley the ball into the net and make it 1–1.

History, however, was still against the visitors. Prior to this match, Girona had played nine times in San Sebastian without a single victory. But every streak comes to an end. In the 84th minute, Miguel Gutiérrez danced past his marker inside the penalty area and cut the ball back, where Tsygankov produced a moment of pure inspiration, flicking the ball home with his heel to complete the turnaround.

The win sees Girona FC move level on 15 points with a cluster of teams in the La Liga table, offering renewed belief and momentum. Next up, the Catalans face a stern test as they welcome Atlético Madrid to their home ground.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Real Sociedad - Girona 1:2 (1:0)
Goals: Guedes G., 35 (1:0); Tsygankov, 76 (1:1); Tsygankov, 84 (1:2)

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu; Martín Jon; Gorrotxategi; Soler (Marin P., 64); Zubeldia I.; Kubo T.; Sergio Gomez (Muñoz A., 87); Méndez B. (Turrientes, 77); Guedes G. (Zakharyan, 64); Barrenetxea (Karrikaburu, 46)
Substitution: Karrikaburu (from 46); Zakharyan (from 64); Marin P. (from 64); Turrientes (from 77); Muñoz A. (from 87)
Bench: Marrero; Odriozola; Caleta-Car; Elustondo; Sucic L.; Goti; Sadiq U.
Yellow Cards: Aramburu 74

Girona: Gazzaniga; Martinez Ar.; Vitor Reis; Blind; Moreno Alex; Ounahi A.; Tsygankov (Solis Jhon, 90); Witsel; Martín I. (Lemar, 64); Gil B. (Asprilla, 77); Vanat (Roca, 46)
Substitution: Roca (from 46); Lemar (from 64); Asprilla (from 77); Solis Jhon (from 90)
Bench: Livaković; Rincón; Frances; Kourouma; Ba Papa; Arango J.
Yellow Cards: Gil B. 60; Ounahi A. 79