Girona rescue point from Rayo Vallecano through superhero Cristhian Stuani

The second half began with a little more open space for both sides. Rayo were pushing forward more, but Girona’s counter-attacks were gaining speed. Roca had another shot blocked, while Fran Beltran rounded off a fine move with a shot from the edge of the box, which required a flying save from Augusto Batalla.

The game entered a period of relative balance after the opening 10 minutes of the second half, in which neither side could secure the upper hand for a spell of more than a few minutes. Neither side found clear sights at goal, but if Rayo went forward with peace of mind of a Conference League finalist, Girona were urged on with the tension of a side that began the match just a point above the drop zone.

With just five minutes remaining, Rayo couldn’t have called it a chance, but they did manage to find Alemao on the edge of the box. Having already had several thundered efforts, his deflected effort swirled away from the helpless Gazzaniga, and a helpless Girona. If the Rayo celebrations were of satisfaction, of faith, and above all, safety, Girona’s despair was just as deep.

Throughout their time in La Liga though, Girona have had a goal in them, and when they’ve needed it most, it’s been provided by Cristhian Stuani. The Uruguayan came on in the 82nd minute, collected the captain’s armband, and barely, if at all, touched the ball until the ten minutes later. Girona were coming forward almost out of duty rather than anything more, when a set-piece was floated his direction. Stuani in a bunch of flowers was the closest to the sun, and his header was pinpoint, kissing the inside of the post as it bounced in.

Girona lie two points ahead of Alaves in 18th place, and the point will not provide a sound sleep for their supporters, but it could remind them that they too can capture points without from unlikely positions, having lost their last three by a one-goal margin. The Catalans host Real Soceidad on Thursday.

Rayo themselves have a relatively luxurious six-point gap to Alaves, and with three games to go would consider themselves dramatically unlucky to be sweating on the final day. Yet Inigo Perez will be left with a sour taste in his mouth, knowing that his side were minutes away from hoisting the victory flag for the survival ‘title’ as he referred to it before the game.