Girona runners-up in the Spanish League hope for a draw at Alavés

Girona’s hopes of finishing runners-up behind La Liga champions Real Madrid were dented on Friday when a goal from Alavés’ Jon Guridi nine minutes into stoppage time restricted the draw to 2-2. two.

Eric Garcia put Girona ahead after just four minutes at Vitória’s Mendizorroza stadium, before Guridi equalized for the home side eight minutes later.

Artem Dovbyk, the league’s leading scorer with 20, did not appear on the scoresheet but a minute before half-time set up Yangel Herrera for what appeared to be the winner.

But as the game dragged on into stoppage time, Guridi appeared to share the spoils.

Girona move to 75 points, 12 behind Real Madrid and, more importantly, just two points ahead of Catalan rivals Barcelona.

Barça don’t play until Monday, but will take second place if they beat a Real Sociedad team still looking to secure a place in the Europa League.

New Spanish champions Real Madrid, who beat Bayern Munich in midweek to book their place in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, will return to earth on Saturday when they visit relegation-threatened Granada.

Granada are in second-to-last place and could already fall before kick-off at the Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium if Real Mallorca, 17th, defeat Las Palmas earlier.

bsp/mw