Deportivo Overcomes Osasuna Deficit to Secure a 2-1 Victory
Ante Budimir opened the scoring for the visitors, but second-half goals from Mario Soriano and Nsongo completed a crucial comeback for Deportivo in La Liga.
Deportivo secured a hard-fought 2-1 home victory against Osasuna in the closing match of the eleventh round of La Liga, breaking a six-game winless streak. The Galician side dominated the early proceedings at Riazor, creating multiple scoring opportunities in the opening minutes through Yeremay, whose initial efforts were repeatedly denied by Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.
Despite the home team controlling the tempo and maintaining territorial dominance, it was Osasuna that struck first. In the 32nd minute, Ante Budimir capitalized on an error by opposing goalkeeper Leo Román during a build-up and clinically converted his opportunity to put the visitors ahead. The goal marked Budimir's eighth tally of the domestic championship, continuing his impressive run of form.
Osasuna carried their narrow 1-0 lead into halftime, having weathered heavy early pressure thanks largely to Herrera, who stepped in to replace injured starters and made several crucial interventions. Deportivo, however, emerged from the break determined to reverse the deficit and immediately took control of the pitch.
The relentless pressure from the hosts paid off in the 63rd minute. Following a short free kick just outside the penalty area, Mario Soriano found an opening and slotted a low shot past the defense into the corner of the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
Buoyed by the equalizer, Deportivo surged forward in search of a winner. The hosts came close when a powerful strike from Luismí Cruz rattled the crossbar, and they continuously tested the visiting defensive line with dangerous runs from David Mella and Adama Traoré.
The decisive moment arrived late in the game, in the 87th minute. Adama Traoré dribbled down the flank and delivered a dangerous cross that was initially met by a shot from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Although Herrera managed to block the attempt, Nsongo was perfectly positioned to tap in the rebound and seal the dramatic comeback.
Osasuna pushed desperately for a late equalizer in stoppage time, and substitute Osambela came agonizingly close when his header struck the crossbar. However, the visitors ran out of time, leaving the Galician side to claim all three points and climb higher in the league standings.