Viktor Tsygankov’s late double secured Girona’s first away victory of the LaLiga season, as the struggling side climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.

La Real, who had scored just five league goals before halftime all season, came close to taking the lead inside 90 seconds when Takefusa Kubo fired over from Ander Barrenetxea’s cross. The hosts continued to press, but it was Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga who made the first notable save of the match, keeping out early threats.

Sociedad struggled to convert possession into clear-cut chances until 10 minutes before halftime. Captain Igor Zubeldia launched a perfectly timed through ball from his own half, finding Gonçalo Guedes, who took three touches before slotting low past Gazzaniga. The goal continued Guedes’ streak of scoring in games where his side netted at least three, and Sociedad maintained their lead into the break for only the second time this season.

Girona responded strongly after the interval, with captain Arnau Martínez and Azzedine Ounahi testing the Sociedad defence with efforts that went just wide. Momentum seemed to favor the hosts, but Girona struck out of nowhere 15 minutes from time. Ounahi delivered a deft, perfectly weighted cross for Tsygankov, who calmly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Alex Remiro to equalize for the visitors.

The turnaround was complete just nine minutes later. Alex Moreno surged into the penalty area and laid a low cross for Tsygankov, who executed a clever backheel to bamboozle Remiro and send the ball into the bottom corner for his second of the night and Girona’s decisive goal.

Sociedad were left stunned and failed to mount a response, suffering their third consecutive league defeat and remaining 14th in the table. Girona, meanwhile, moved above Mallorca into 17th, claiming only their second away win in 17 LaLiga matches.