The hosts were ahead shortly before the quarter-hour mark when an unmarked Léo Baptistão rose majestically off the turf to head Houboulang Mendes’ cross past Juan Carlos. Beaten just once in their last four visits to Almeria, Girona were given a mountain to climb only four minutes later when a disastrous defensive debacle between Bernardo Espinosa and the onrushing Carlos allowed El Bilal Touré to roll the ball into an empty net.
Almeria’s maiden top-flight meeting with Girona then threatened to turn into a landslide, as they all but secured maximum points seven minutes before HT, when Adrián Embarba’s free-kick breathtakingly beat a beleaguered Carlos from a distance. However, in contrast to Almeria’s euphoria, Girona now seemed sure to suffer a fifth league match without a win.
Yet, they needed only two minutes of the second half to start a potential comeback when Rodrigo Riquelme spectacularly lobbed Fernando Martínez after the Almería number one had found himself stranded in goalkeeping no man's land. Potentially facing the first shreds of doubt about the result, the hosts were relieved when Santiago Bueno should have reduced the goalscoring arrears again but could only head his close-range effort over the top of the crossbar.
In pursuit of restoring their three-goal advantage, Rubi’s side were inches away from doing so when second-half substitute Largie Ramazani fired fractions wide of the post. Girona then had an opportunity to set up an intriguing final 13 minutes by Martínez when the Almería shot-stopper sublimely saved Cristhian Stuani’s VAR-awarded penalty.
Unbelievably though, the visitors were awarded another spot-kick just five minutes later, which Stuani this time fired successfully beyond the grasp of Martínez. Despite being given a Halloween-esque scare, as Yangel Herrera’s headed equaliser in the final seconds of stoppage time was ruled out for a foul in the build-up, Almería condemned Girona to the relegation zone, as Míchel’s side remain without an away victory throughout the campaign.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Fernando Martínez (UD Almería)
