Girona celebrated a resounding 5‑1 victory over Celta de Vigo at the Montilivi, a victory that marked the start of the Fires de Sant Narcís season and brought them closer to the direct promotion zone. The match, played on October 24, 2026 in the Lliga HyperMotion, was the team's most dominant performance under the direction of Quique Álvarez, with a hat trick from Vanat and the return of Stuani to the eleven.
From the beginning, Girona showed absolute superiority. Vanat opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a precise shot, and in the 20th minute he assisted Unai Hernández to score his first goal of the season. At 29 minutes, after a play in which defender Meixús was sent off due to a misunderstanding error, Vanat converted the penalty and left Celta with a three-goal difference before the half-hour mark. The Ukrainian striker continued his dominance with a third goal in the 55th minute, completing his hat trick and becoming the hero of the night.
The rest of the Girona attack also shined. Carles Pérez scored in the 38th minute with a shot from outside the area that slipped into the goalkeeper's corner, while forward Stuani, who had returned from injury, scored the fourth goal in the 73rd minute. Celta achieved a goal of honor in the 59th minute when Óscar Marcos took advantage of a defensive disconnection by Girona, but the result was final.
With the victory, Girona has 21 points and is in fourth position, just two points away from direct promotion and with Sporting de Gijón as its immediate rival. The win also represents a morale boost, as the team has achieved a convincing victory without having to fight until the last minute, something that had been a concern in previous days.
Coach Quique Álvarez recognized the collective effort and highlighted the importance of the offensive superiority shown. The day also served to consolidate the adaptation of Vanat, who had had difficulties connecting with his teammates in the previous weeks. Stuani's return was well received by the fans, who showed their support for the players who have been pillars in the campaign.
The result leaves Girona with a solid position in the table and the possibility of getting closer to direct promotion in the coming days. The team, with a defense that showed vulnerabilities in the match, will have to reinforce its defensive balance while maintaining the offensive rhythm that has proven to be effective. With the season still underway, Girona seeks to consolidate its position at the top of the table and continue reducing the gap with the direct promotion teams.