Stuani penalty helps Girona clinch La Liga return

Cristhian Stuani’s first-half penalty helped propel Girona to a 3-1 play-off victory over Tenerife to seal promotion to La Liga.

A goalless draw in the first leg in Girona left everything to play for in the return fixture and a spot-kick from Stuani just before the break gave the visitors the lead, though Carlos Luiz equalised for Tenerife before the hour mark.

Yet an own goal from Jose Leon saw Michel Sanchez’s team regain the lead, with Arnau Martinez clinching the result with ten minutes remaining to send Girona back to the top tier of Spanish football.

Stuani netted 40 league goals over two seasons during Girona’s last stint in the top flight and the 35-year-old is likely to be a key player next season.

93% – Cristhian Stuani has scored 41 of the 44 penalties he has taken between LaLiga (16 out of 16) and #LaLigaSmartBank (25 out of 28). Specialist. pic.twitter.com/5MGz6RlWiq

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 19, 2022

Relegated from La Liga in 2018-19, Girona had back-to-back fifth-placed finishes in the second tier and fell at the last hurdle last year after losing the play-off final to Elche.

Girona coach Sanchez, meanwhile, has now been promoted to LaLiga for a third time, having previously managed the feat with Rayo Vallecano in 2018 and Huesca in 2020.

The result means Tenerife’s 12-year wait for a return to the top-flight is extended. 

Girona will discover their fixtures for the 2022-23 season next month ahead of the start of the new campaign in August.