We say goodbye to the Cup fighting to the end

Girona's defeat at Son Moix leaves the team out of the Copa del Rey. The 'rojiblancos' were not at their best in a one-off competition that is unforgiving, but even so, they went down with pride and fought until the end to try to turn the scoreline around. Two goals from Stuani and Sávio allowed them to believe in the second half when the game seemed decided, but Míchel Sánchez's team lacked time to correct a first half where the team was very uncomfortable due to the good approach of the locals, and conceded three decisive goals against a very intense and well worked team defensively that made their stadium a hell. The dream of the Cup is over, but we will continue to enjoy the league in a historic season with the whole second half of the season still to play.

The start of the match already anticipated a tough tie in Mallorca. The home side made it very difficult for Míchel's men to come out and play and caused dangerous losses, which they took advantage of with two strikes from Larin. Stuani also had a sniff of goal with a filtered ball that was blocked by the goalkeeper, but the lack of control against an opponent that was looking to do damage in transitions ended up penalising, and from a long pass behind the defence, Antonio Sánchez assisted Larin to open the scoring.

Girona reacted through Sávio, who again came up against goalkeeper Greif with a high and strong shot that ended up in the corner, but with the context of the match in their favour, Mallorca pushed forward and were the more effective side to extend the lead in their best minutes. Abdón Prats, scrambling at the edge of the area, unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the back of the net without Juan Carlos being able to do anything, and with just over half an hour played, the same Abdón scored the third from eleven yards after the Balearics had found the net from another long pass to the back.

Míchel introduced tactical and player changes at the restart to look for a reaction, and he found it, but it wasn't enough to turn around three goals against a very organised Mallorca side, secure in defence in the box and who conceded very little space. Even so, if there is one thing this group has, it is that they never stop believing, and no matter how adverse the circumstances, today was no exception. A penalty by Raíllo from a corner and his subsequent sending off opened the door to hope, and Stuani was on hand to convert it with great skill. The team took total control of the ball and tried to threaten the Balearic wall, but struggled to find precision.

There was a constant feeling of danger and many crosses into the box that could not be converted into clear chances. Dovbyk had the best chance in the final stretch, but his shot at the far post went just wide. In a bizarre move inside the box, Sávio managed to pull one back in stoppage time, but with too little time left to equalise. There was only time for Pablo Torre's shot from outside the box that didn't find the back of the net, and the team left the Copa del Rey with the resignation of not being able to reach a historic semi-final, but also with their heads held high for the way they overcame the difficulties and with the illusion of continuing to enjoy an incredible year in the league. Sunday, another challenge in Vigo.