Osasuna secured a vital 1-0 win over Valladolid, temporarily climbing to fourth place in La Liga. The victory, marked by Ante Budimir’s penalty, was their second consecutive league triumph. This round also saw Girona edge Leganés 4-3 in an action-packed match, ending their losing streak.
Osasuna secured a 1-0 home victory over Valladolid on Saturday in the 12th round of La Liga, propelling them to a temporary fourth-place position in the standings.
This result puts them nine points behind the league leaders, Barcelona, who still have a game in hand. The win was crucial for Osasuna as they look to solidify their position in the upper tier of the table and push for European competition spots.
The match was marked by intense play, with Osasuna demonstrating a blend of disciplined defense and strategic attacking movements. The decisive moment came in the 19th minute when Croatian forward Ante Budimir coolly converted a penalty after a controversial foul in the box. The goal not only boosted the team’s morale but also sparked a surge in their offensive efforts. Throughout the match, Osasuna maintained steady pressure, creating several more chances to extend their lead. Despite Valladolid’s attempts to respond, their attacks were thwarted by a resilient Osasuna backline.
This victory marks Osasuna’s second consecutive league win, bolstering their position in the race for a Champions League spot. With 21 points, they are level with third-place Villarreal and just three points shy of second-place Real Madrid, both of whom have a game in hand. The momentum gained from this win could prove pivotal for Osasuna as they continue to navigate a highly competitive season.
Valladolid, on the other hand, faced disappointment as they registered their second consecutive defeat. Despite flashes of attacking promise, the team struggled to break down Osasuna’s well-organized defense. Portuguese goalkeeper André Ferreira watched from the bench as his team endured a challenging outing, ultimately failing to capitalize on their limited chances. This loss leaves Valladolid languishing in 19th place, second from the bottom, with only eight points just one more than last-place Valencia. The pressure is mounting on Valladolid to find solutions and secure points to avoid further slipping into relegation danger.
This round of La Liga was notably affected by external circumstances. The highly anticipated matches between Valencia-Real Madrid and Villarreal-Rayo Vallecano were postponed due to severe flooding that devastated the Valencia region earlier in the week. The catastrophic floods, which claimed at least 210 lives and left dozens missing, cast a somber shadow over the weekend’s fixtures. The postponements have added complexity to the league’s schedule, leaving both Real Madrid and Villarreal with games in hand that could impact the title race and European qualification spots.
Meanwhile, in another dramatic match on Saturday, Girona claimed a thrilling 4-3 home victory over Leganés, breaking a two-game losing streak and thrilling their home supporters. The match was filled with momentum shifts and high-paced action. Miguel Gutiérrez opened the scoring for Girona in the 21st minute with a well-placed shot, but Leganés quickly responded through Peruvian midfielder Renato Tapia, who netted the equalizer in the 24th minute. Girona’s Arnau Martínez reclaimed the lead for the home side in the 31st minute with a clinical finish, only for Juan Cruz to strike back and level the score for Leganés in the 41st minute, making it 2-2 by halftime.
The second half continued with the same fervor. Uruguayan striker Christian Stuani converted a penalty in the 62nd minute, putting Girona back in front. The lead was further extended in the 73rd minute when a defensive mishap led to an own goal by Leganés’ Sérgio González. This two-goal cushion seemed to secure the match for Girona, but Leganés showed resilience. Moroccan forward Munir El Haddadi scored in the 77th minute, narrowing the gap to 4-3 and setting up a tense finish. Despite their efforts, Leganés couldn’t find an equalizer, and the match concluded with Girona taking all three points.
This win was crucial for Girona as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League clash against PSV. The victory moved them up to 10th place with 15 points, providing a morale boost ahead of their European campaign. Leganés, who came into the match buoyed by their 3-0 win over Celta de Vigo in the previous round, now sit in 15th place with 11 points and will need to regroup quickly to prevent further setbacks in the league.
Both matches showcased the unpredictable nature of La Liga, where teams from different tiers continue to battle fiercely for position. As the season progresses, the race for European spots and the fight against relegation promise to deliver more drama and tightly contested matches.
