A draw in Girona to kick off the league season (1-1) 

C.D. Leganés kicked off the 2026/27 LALIGA HYPERMOTION season with a draw at Montilivi against Girona F.C. (1-1). Naim scored a spectacular goal for the Pepineros, while Abel Ruiz equalized for the home team late in the game.

The new Leganés coach, Rubén Albés, made seven changes from last season’s lineup in Leganés’s official 2026/27 starting XI: Raúl Fernández, Tejero, Atienza, Kechta, Buurmeester, Gharbi, and Soko. They were joined by the familiar faces of Lalo, Ignasi Miquel, Marvel, and Naim.

The match began with Girona dominating possession against a Leganés side that defended in an organized manner and looked to break on the counterattack by exploiting open spaces, particularly through Patrick Soko. In a match with few clear chances in the first half, Bryan Gil had the best opportunity for the home team in the 37th minute, but his shot sailed wide of Raúl Fernández’s goal. The teams went into halftime tied at zero.

Naim’s Stunner Puts Lega Ahead Early in the Second Half

The second half couldn’t have started better for Leganés: in the 48th minute, Leganés won the ball back in the opponent’s half; Naim controlled it on his left foot and, from more than 30 meters out, unleashed an unstoppable rocket past Gazzaniga to make it 0-1 and give Rubén Albés’s team the lead.

Girona fought back in search of a quick equalizer, and in the 56th minute, Marvel made a save on a backheel shot by Bryan Gil to prevent it. In the 60th minute, Rubén Albés made his first substitutions, bringing in Rubén Peña, Unax, and Álex Millán for Kechta, Gharbi, and Soko. The second goal nearly came in the 61st minute, with another powerful long-range shot by Tejero that crashed off the post of Gazzaniga’s goal. Marvel also had a chance in the 62nd minute but couldn’t finish it off.

Abel Ruiz tied the game in the closing minutes

Midway through the second half, Dani Rodríguez replaced Tejero in Lega’s fourth substitution as Girona went all out on the attack. Raúl Fernández had to step in at the 73’ to deflect a shot by Asprilla into a corner kick; the same duo was involved five minutes later in another great save by the Pepinero goalkeeper. Lega responded with a good counterattack that Álex Millán couldn’t finish off after being set up by Rubén Peña in the 79’.

In the 84th minute, Pulido replaced the injured Atienza in Leganés’ final substitution. Leganés held off the home side’s onslaught, though in the 89th minute, Girona equalized through Abel Ruiz, who capitalized on a rebound in the box following another save by Raúl Fernández to make it 1-1, the score at which the match would end.

The second matchday, also on the road against another recently relegated team

Despite the late goal, Leganés put in a commendable debut against one of the top promotion contenders, earning a point on the road in their season opener. The Blue and Whites will play on the road again next Saturday (5:00 p.m.) against another recently relegated team, Real Oviedo, at Carlos Tartiere Stadium.