Girona fight back to seal playoff final spot

Razak Brimah

The Cordoba CF goalkeeper was once again one of the star men for his side, pulling off several smart saves to keep the Andalusians in the tie. The visitors came into the game looking to keep things tight and hold on to their 2-1 first-leg advantage, and Brimah would have to be on top form if they were to do so. In the first half, the Cordoba shotstopper proved his worth on three separate occasions to deny Aday, Pere Pons and Cristian Herrera.

Girona come out all guns blazing

Girona FC were in need of goals and that was plain to see from the way they poured forward right from the first whistle. The hosts were posing a threat in wide areas, where Carlos Clerc was causing havoc, and down the middle, through Eloi Amagat, as Cordoba found themselves pinned back and content just to clear their lines.

Second-half substitutions

Pablo Machin shuffled his pack at the start of the second period to try to offer his side something different in the final third, with Dejan Lekic and Eloi Amagat making way for Ruben Sobrino and Alex Granell.

Xisco repeats the trick

The Cordoba forward struck twice in the first leg and was at it again here, to edge the visitors a step closer to the Liga BBVA. With 59 minutes on the clock, Xisco deftly headed an inch-perfect cross from Carlos Caballero beyond the reach of Isaac Becerra to put his side firmly into the driving seat. Leading 3-1 on aggregate, Cordoba now looked destined to take their place in the playoff final.

Borja Garcia & Aday hadn't read the script

Borja Garcia fired home a 65th-minute equaliser to claw the hosts right back into the tie. Roared on by the Montilivi faithful, Girona pressed and they were rewarded when Aday's strike crept into the corner to make it 2-1 on the night and take the tie into extra time.

Extra-time drama

With the aggregate score at 3-3 and with the clock ticking down, Cristian Herrera held his nerve to coolly chip home and send Girona through to the playoff final. The first leg of the showpiece will be played on Wednesday 15 June at the El Sadar as At. Osasuna and Girona do battle for a place in the Liga BBVA.