Both sides got off to a sluggish start with neither able to take control of the ball or create any chances, in what was a scrappy affair. This continued for most of the half, as the referee was kept on his toes due to the amount of fouls being committed. Girona began to keep possession better as the half went on, but struggled to turn their dominance into clear-cut chances.
In particular, both goalkeepers were pretty much spectators for a quiet first half sorely lacking in action, though Bernardo Espinosa had a half-chance, as he found himself unmarked in the box but his tame header was easily collected by Jeremias Ledesma.
The second half started with a bang as Cádiz opened the scoring less than a minute in, when a decent spell of possession was finished off as Álvaro Negredo superbly kept a loose ball alive by cutting it back into the box where Alex Fernández tapped it home. The goal sparked the game to life, as Girona looked to immediately respond, though the visitors had a great chance to double their lead before the hour mark. The away section sensed blood, but Iván Alejo’s effort a few yards from goal went inches over the crossbar.
With time running out, Girona stepped up their efforts in search of an equaliser, and came agonisingly close when Valentín Castellanos smashed a half-volley off the crossbar – the closest they had come to scoring all afternoon. They then thought the equaliser arrived in the 73rd minute via an OG from Cala, in what was actually an impressive bicycle kick had it been at the other end, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for a slight pull.
The hosts had some right to feel aggrieved, but they were given a lifeline in the 99th minute when the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Stuani stepped up and slotted it in. His 39th penalty goal of his career was salvaged a very late point, changing the complexion of the Spanish top-flight’s congested lower echelons.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Álvaro Negredo (Cádiz CF)
