Girona moved one step closer to qualifying for the Champions League with a 4-1 win over Cadiz in La Liga on Saturday, ensuring they will compete in next season’s European football competition. Eric Garcia, Ivan Martin, Artem Dovbyk and Cristian Portu for Catalunya Minnows Having finished third, they are 10 points ahead of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao. Although their unlikely title challenge eventually ran out of steam, it would be a remarkable achievement for Girona to finish in the top four in just their fourth season in La Liga.
Michel Sanchez’s side gained an edge in the race for a top four spot after Copa del Rey champions Atlético could only draw with Granada on Friday. Their win guarantees them at least a spot in next season’s Europa League.
Girona eased past struggling Cadiz at the tiny 14,000-seat Montilivi Stadium to stay in 18th place, six points from safety if they are to host the Champions League. The stadium needs some reform.
The players celebrated with fans at the end of the game and wore special jerseys to celebrate qualifying for Europe for the first time in the club’s history.
“(I’m) really happy with the win and achieving our first goal, which we’ve done, but we’re not going to stop there,” Martin said.
“This is a historic day for the club and we must celebrate the celebration it deserves.”
Garcia, on loan from Barcelona, opened the game with a header after nine minutes from a clever short corner kick.
Girona doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute when Miguel Gutierrez back-heeled the ball into Martin’s hands.
La Liga’s top scorer Dov Bik took his tally to 18 goals for the season with a fine turn and shot from inside the box, suffocating Cadiz’s hopes of a comeback.
The visitors did get a consolation through Gonzalo Escalante, with the ball crossing the goal line first despite being tipped over by Paulo Gazzaniga.
Porto quickly restored Girona’s comfortable advantage, beating Cadiz goalkeeper Ledesma with a long pass that rolled into an empty goal.
“All we can do is keep fighting,” Cadiz midfielder Escalante said.
Earlier, Iago Aspas scored twice for Celta Vigo to boost their survival hopes with a 4-1 win over Las Palmas.
The Galician team is ranked 17th, six points ahead of the relegation zone.
Ayoze Perez scored twice to help Real Betis beat Valencia 2-1, surpassing their opponents and rising to seventh place.
14th-placed Rayo Vallecano escaped danger with a 2-1 win over Osasuna.
Leaders Real Madrid face second-placed Barcelona in a derby on Sunday in a game that could be crucial in the title race.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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