Cristhian Stuani of Girona FC celebrates after scoring the crew’s second aim through the LaLiga EA Sports match between Girona FC and Valencia CF at Montilivi Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Girona, Spain| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Veteran striker Cristhian Stuani got here off the bench to rally Girona previous Valencia in a 2-1 win that put the season’s shock package deal again on high of the Spanish league on Saturday.

The 37-year-old Stuani began the beautiful comeback with a aim within the 82nd minute from a cross by fellow substitute Yan Couto.

Girona took the lead within the 88th when one other cross by Couto meant for Stuani gave the impression to be become the aim by Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, though the league's web site credited Stuani with the aim. Stuani himself mentioned that he believed it was an personal aim.

Girona moved three factors away from Real Madrid, which holds the head-to-head tiebreaker with Girona, earlier than the powerhouse hosts the relegation-threatened Granada later.

“The team showed its pride in this victory,” Stuani mentioned. “We are living a dream, fighting right up there at the top, and we will give it our all to stay there."

The former Uruguay striker joined Girona from Middlesbrough in 2017. He has since become Girona’s all-time goalscorer and fan favorite after helping it return to the first division in 2022. As he has aged, Stuani has become a valuable weapon off the bench, especially thanks to his knack for scoring from crosses.

“We made a mistake that made the game an uphill battle, but we threw everything we had into the game and it worked thanks to Stuani, who was great,” Girona coach Míchel Sánchez mentioned. “Stu is the smartest player in the area. When we put the ball in the box, he always appears. I am happy for him. He is the most loved player in Girona.”

Ninth-placed Valencia had taken the lead towards the circulate of play at Girona's Montilivi Stadium when Hugo Duro capitalized on a defensive error within the 56th. Duro broke free when he ran onto a go that Girona defender David López had unwisely let roll previous him earlier than chipping goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

Girona is partly owned Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi possession, however its wage cap for gamers is simply the thirteenth greatest within the 20-team league with the listing topped by Madrid at 727 million euros ($795 million).

Barcelona hosts Atletico Madrid on Sunday with each groups seven factors behind Girona. Atletico additionally has one other sport in hand.