Girona and Leganes played out a 1-1 draw in the opening match of the Segunda Division season on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Montilivi Stadium. The Catalan side controlled possession early but struggled to convert chances before Leganes took the lead through Naim’s long-range strike. Abel Ruiz equalized in the 90th minute, securing a point for both teams.

Girona’s controlled start falls short

Girona, managed by Quique Álvarez, started strongly with a clear game plan centered on possession and attacking rhythm. The home side generated early chances, with left-back Álex Moreno standing out for his bold forward runs. His first cross in the fourth minute was headed wide by Bryan Gil, while a second attempt in the seventh was ruled out for offside after VAR review. Moreno’s third assist, again to Gil, nearly resulted in a goal in the 38th minute, but the striker failed to finish cleanly. The pressure eventually paid off for Leganes, who took the lead in the 49th minute. Goalkeeper Raúl Fernández’s unconventional interception led to a counterattack, with Naim advancing from deep and unleashing a stunning 35-meter strike past Gazzaniga. The goal stunned the Montilivi crowd and shifted momentum in favor of the visitors.

Leganes frustrates Girona’s comeback

Girona responded with urgency, introducing Minsu and Colombian forward Luis Muriel in search of an equalizer. The hosts grew increasingly dangerous, with Muriel testing the Leganes defense repeatedly. The turning point came in the 90th minute when a cross from Francés found Moreno at the far post. His header was saved by Fernández, but the rebound fell to Abel Ruiz, who first struck the post before the ball rolled into the net. The late goal brought justice to Girona’s performance. The match ended 1-1, leaving both teams with a point in their Segunda Division debut. Girona’s dominance in possession contrasted with Leganes’ defensive resilience, while Naim’s long-range effort and Abel Ruiz’s last-gasp strike defined the game’s decisive moments.

Reactions and implications

The draw leaves Girona with a sense of missed opportunity despite their strong start. Quique Álvarez’s side will look to refine their finishing in upcoming matches. For Leganes, the point represents a solid foundation for their campaign in the second tier, especially after their early setback. Naim’s goal has already been hailed as one of the standout strikes of the opening weekend, drawing comparisons to iconic long-range efforts in Spanish football history. Girona will now prepare for their next fixture, while Leganes aim to build on this result as they seek to establish themselves in the Segunda Division. The match also highlighted the challenges of converting possession into goals, a recurring theme in the early stages of the season.