Mallorca Edges Girona 1-0 to Escape Relegation Zone on Goal Difference

Key facts

• Mallorca defeated Girona 1-0 at Montilivi on Friday, 1 May, at 21:00 hours in La Liga jornada 34.
• Samú Costa scored the only goal seconds before halftime.
• Mallorca's first away win since October lifted it above Girona on goal difference into 15th place.
• Girona sits 15th on 38 points; Mallorca is 17th on 35 before the match, but after the win Mallorca moves to 15th.
• Girona has 9 wins, 11 draws, 13 losses; Mallorca has 9 wins, 8 draws, 16 defeats.
• Girona came into the match on two straight defeats and three matches without a win.
• Mallorca lost 2-1 to Deportivo Alavés in its previous outing.
• Cristhian Stuani said, 'It’s getting more difficult. We have to grit our teeth and give it everything.'

A Single Strike Decides a Tense Relegation Six-Pointer

A first-half goal from Samú Costa gave Mallorca a 1-0 victory over Girona at Montilivi on Friday night, a result that reshuffles the bottom of the La Liga table. The win, Mallorca's first away from home since October, lifted the club above Girona on goal difference into 15th place, while Girona slipped to 16th. Both sides entered jornada 34 under pressure, separated by just three points in the standings. Girona, on 38 points, had lost two straight and gone three matches without a win. Mallorca, on 35, had lost 2-1 to Deportivo Alavés in its previous outing. The match was billed as a direct battle for survival.

Costa Strikes Just Before Half-Time

Mallorca dominated much of the opening 45 minutes and got its reward seconds before the interval. Samú Costa found the net with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box, which was saved by Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga but still crossed the line. The goal stood after a brief check. Girona pushed harder in the second half, but Mallorca's goalkeeper Leo Román and the woodwork kept them at bay. Román saved efforts from Bryan Gil and Cristhian Stuani, while Stuani also hit the post. Zito Luvumbo had a chance for Mallorca but his shot was saved by Gazzaniga.

Table Shuffle as Relegation Fight Intensifies

The victory moved Mallorca to 38 points, level with Girona, but ahead on goal difference. Girona now sits 16th, while Mallorca climbs to 15th. The bottom half of the table remains tight, with several clubs still at risk of relegation. Girona's record stands at 9 wins, 11 draws, and 13 losses. Mallorca's is 9 wins, 8 draws, and 16 defeats. The three-point gap between the sides before the match underscored the stakes: a win for either team could provide crucial breathing room.

Stuani Voices Urgency After Defeat

Girona striker Cristhian Stuani acknowledged the mounting pressure after the loss. 'It’s getting more difficult,' he said. 'We have to grit our teeth and give it everything.' His comments reflect the mood in the Girona camp as they face a run-in that will determine their top-flight status. Mallorca, meanwhile, celebrated a vital away win that could prove decisive in the relegation battle. The club had not won on the road since October, making the three points especially valuable.

What Comes Next for Both Clubs

With seven matches remaining, both Girona and Mallorca face a demanding schedule. Girona will need to reverse its recent form quickly to avoid being dragged deeper into the relegation zone. Mallorca will aim to build on this result and secure enough points to stay clear of the bottom three. The result also has implications for other teams in the relegation scrap, as the points gained by Mallorca tighten the race. Every match from now until the end of the season will carry immense weight for the clubs fighting to remain in La Liga.

The bottom line

• Mallorca won 1-0 at Girona, its first away victory since October, moving above Girona on goal difference into 15th place.
• Samú Costa scored the decisive goal just before halftime.
• Girona has now lost three straight and four of its last five matches.
• Both teams are on 38 points, but Mallorca holds the advantage on goal difference.
• The relegation battle in La Liga remains extremely tight with seven games left.
• Cristhian Stuani called for greater effort from Girona as the pressure mounts.