---
title: "Vanat's brace and return to form: how Girona's Ukrainians played against Castellón"
description: "Vladyslav Vanat ended his 5-month goal drought by scoring two goals in Girona's friendly match against Castellón (3-3). Krapivtsiv and Pyshchur also played, while Tsygankov missed the game due to illness. 🇺🇦⚽"
date: 2026-07-30T08:50:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/vanats-brace-and-return-to-form-how-gironas-ukrainians-played-against-castellon
tags: [vanat, girona, castellon, kravtsov, pishchur]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Vanat's brace and return to form: how Girona's Ukrainians played against Castellón

![Girona players in green kits celebrate a goal after Vanat’s brace in the match against Castellón](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/30/dubel-vanata-i-vozvrashchenie-v-stroy-kak-ukraintsy-zhirony-syravali-s-kastelyonom/dubel-vanata-i-vozvrashchenie-v-stroy-kak-ukraintsy-zhirony-syravali-s-kastelyonom-1.webp)

Ukrainian forward Vladyslav Vanat of Spanish Girona ended his prolonged goal drought. In a friendly match against Castellón, the striker scored a brace, regaining his form and confidence ahead of the new season. The match was part of the Catalan side's summer preparation and ended in a high-scoring 3-3 draw.

### Three Ukrainians in the squad, Tsygankov in quarantine

Girona's coaching staff decided to field three Ukrainian internationals in the friendly match. Goalkeeper Vladyslav Krapivtsiv started the game and played the entire first half. The attack was bolstered by Vladyslav Vanat and Alexander Pyshchur, who came on as substitutes in the second half.

The only Ukrainian to miss the match was Viktor Tsygankov. The player did not take part in the game due to a viral illness, which was the official reason for his absence.

### First half: opponent's advantage

The start of the match was dictated by the visitors. Castellón, who finished sixth in the Segunda División last season, took control in the first half. The Catalans went into the break trailing by two goals, 1-2. Despite Krapivtsiv's active performance in goal, the team could not maintain balance.

### Second half: Vanat's brace and a turnaround

In the second half, Girona radically changed the balance of power. Vladyslav Vanat entered the pitch and immediately got involved in the action. His first goal came in the middle of the half — a brilliant finish inside the box that leveled the score. Then, in the 85th minute, the Ukrainian completed his brace, putting his team ahead.

These goals were Vanat's first since March 1st. The five-month "dry spell" was broken, which was an important signal for both the player and the coaching staff.

### Pyshchur on the pitch, but without a goal

In the 63rd minute, another Ukrainian striker, Alexander Pyshchur, entered the game. He strengthened the Catalan attacking line for the final half-hour of the match, although he was unable to register any goal contributions. Nevertheless, his presence on the pitch allowed the team to maintain a high tempo and create dangerous moments.

### Final note: a 3-3 draw

Despite their success in the second half, Girona could not hold onto the winning result. In the 89th minute, Castellón equalized, setting the final score at 3-3. The match ended in a draw, but for Girona, it was an important stage in their preparation for the new season in the Segunda División, where the team was relegated following the previous campaign.

### Season preparation continues

The Catalan club continues its active work on player fitness and tactical schemes. Friendly matches allow the coaching staff to assess the condition of the players and select the optimal lineup for the start of the season. For the Ukrainian internationals, this game was an opportunity to showcase their qualities and regain confidence after the break.