Respect your elders! Cristhian Stuani's late double puts Girona back on top

For six years now, Uruguayan striker Cristhian Stuani has been Girona's main source of goals. And even though he's already 37 years old, he looked as fresh as ever as he hit two late goals to overturn his team's deficit and earn a 2-1 win over Valencia.

Girona recovered from last week's draw with Athletic Club and returned to winning ways to claim La Liga's top spot. It seems unlikely they'll be able to keep it up for much longer - but we're already in December, and Michel's boys keep putting points on the board.

Valencia attacker Hugo Duro had capped an incisive counter-attack with a lovely poked finish over the onrushing goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to put the visitors ahead, but the old boy had something to say at Estadi Montilivi.

Valencia had a tough time keeping up with Girona's high-intensity game, but they found a glimmer of hope when Fran Perez's strike narrowly missed the far post. Girona had another disallowed goal in the first half when Artem Dovbyk's goal from Viktor Tsyhankov's free-kick was ruled offside. At halftime, Ruben Baraja's Valencia seemed content with holding Girona off without conceding a shot on target.

The second half started differently, with Aleix Garcia's attempt testing Mamardashvili, who made a remarkable save. His heroics continued with another outstanding stop from Garcia, but moments later, Valencia broke the deadlock through Duro. The Valencia striker capitalized on a swift counter-attack, executing a superb chip over Gazzaniga in the 57th minute. Foulquier nearly doubled their lead, but Gazzaniga's save denied Valencia's advancement.

As the match seemed to favour Valencia, Stuani's entry as a substitute shifted the balance. Stuani scored twice, first in the 83rd minute, ghosting in unmarked to finish, and then in the 88th minute, securing all three points with another close-range effort. A late strike by Sávio was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.

This unexpected victory for Girona highlights their determination to challenge the league's elite, and it should serve as a wake-up call for La Liga's prominent teams. On the other hand, Valencia's disappointment extends their winless streak to seven La Liga matches.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 15

Friday

Las Palmas - Getafe 2-0 (1-0)

/Araujo 43, Herrera 90+2/

Saturday

Girona - Valencia 2-1 (0-0)

/Stuani 83, 88 - Duro 57/

18:15: (1.60) Ath.Bilbao (3.90) Rayo Vallecano (6.00)

20:30: (1.17) Real Madrid (8.00) Granada (14.0)

23:00: (3.40) Osasuna (3.30) Sociedad (2.35)

Sunday

16:00: (2.45) Mallorca (3.15) Alaves (3.30)

18:15: (3.35) Almeria (3.45) Betis (2.15)

20:30: (2.25) Sevilla (3.50) Villareal (3.35)

23:00: (2.00) Barcelona (3.60) Atl.Madrid (4.00)

***odds are subject to change***