Real Madrid returned to winning ways on Saturday evening, easing to a 3-0 victory away to Girona to close the gap behind Barcelona at La Liga’s summit.
Both sides came into the contest wounded by midweek defeats. While Real Madrid were beaten in the league by Athletic Club, Girona’s premature Copa del Rey campaign was brought to a humiliating end by a penalty shootout loss to fourth-tier Logrones.
The hosts swiftly shook off their recent setback, starting much the better side. Yet, as is so often the case in games against Real Madrid, just as they look at their weakest, they score.
Jude Bellingham fired the visitors in front in the 36th minute, pouncing upon a loose ball rolling around the penalty box. After another strong start to the second half, Madrid struck once again, with Bellingham setting Arda Guler haring beyond Girona’s high backline ten minutes after the restart.
Kylian Mbappe, the subject of so much strife in recent weeks, had endured another underwhelming display yet his scampered onto Luka Modric’s flick in 62nd minute. Despite a desperately tight angle, the Frenchman found room to fizz the ball under Paulo Gazzaniga’s outstretched hand.
Madrid’s victory took them two points behind Barcelona with a game in hand after the Catalans dropped points against Real Betis earlier on Saturday.
|
Player |
Rating |
|---|---|
|
GK: Thibaut Courtois |
8.0/10 |
|
RB: Lucas Vazquez |
7.4/10 |
|
CB: Aurelien Tchouameni |
7.5/10 |
|
CB: Antonio Rudiger |
7.6/10 |
|
LB: Ferland Mendy |
7.1/10 |
|
CM: Federico Valverde |
7.8/10 |
|
CM: Luka Modric |
8.6/10 |
|
AM: Jude Bellingham |
8.8/10 |
|
RW: Arda Guler |
8.2/10 |
|
ST: Kylian Mbappe |
7.8/10 |
|
LW: Brahim Diaz |
6.9/10 |
|
SUB: Dani Ceballos (61′ for Bellingham) |
6.3/10 |
|
SUB: Francisco Garcia (81′ for Valverde) |
N/A |
|
SUB: Raul Asencio (81′ for Mendy) |
N/A |
|
SUB: Endrick 81′ for Mbappe) |
N/A |
|
SUB: Daniel Yanez (89′ for Guler) |
N/A |
Subs not used: Andriy Lunin (GK), Sergio Mestre (GK), Jesus Vallejo
