Osasuna in driving seat in promotion showdown

Unbeatable start for Osasuna

At. Osasuna could not have made a better start to the match, coming flying out of the blocks and opening the scoring with just six minutes on the clock. Miguel de las Cuevas cut inside with aplomb before curling a cross into the middle of the area, where Kenan Kodro met it with a superb glancing header.

A dampener for on-fire Cristian Herrera

The Girona FC striker went into the encounter in red-hot form, having scored two crucial goals in the semi-final tie against Cordoba CF. Pablo Machin once more gave the Canary Islander the nod to lead the line from the start, but Osasuna's stout rearguard efforts prevented Herrera from shining and he was eventually subbed off in the 54th minute, with Ruben Sobrino replacing him.

Becerra keeps Girona within touching distance

Osasuna once again hit the ground running at the beginning of the second half, putting Girona under the cosh and nearly doubling their lead as Miguel Flaño just failed to connect with Roberto Torres's free-kick when just a few yards out. Not long after, away goalkeeper Isaac Becerra was called into action and kept the Catalan side right in it by denying Nino one-on-one.

Visitors hit back

The Pamplona outfit poured forward in search of a second, but it was in fact Girona who struck back to claim a goal that could well prove vital in the final reckoning. With 73 minutes gone, the Catalans restored parity courtesy of Kiko Olivas, who stuck out a leg to get on the end of Pedro Alcala's flick-on and send the ball beyond the reach of Nauzet Perez.

Osasuna produce immediate reply to gain the upper hand

However, Girona's joy was short-lived as the hosts retook the lead just five minutes later. The El Sadar faithful were sent into raptures when Maikel Mesa fired low and hard past Becerra to put Osasuna into the driving seat in the tie.

Electric atmosphere at El Sadar

The home fans really did play their part as the 12th man, getting right behind their side from the first minute to drive them a step closer to a Liga BBVA return, and Enrique Martin's troops repaid their supporters with a win that leaves Osasuna just 90 minutes away from promotion.