A point was all Real Madrid could get against Girona under Friday's lights, leaving them still searching after a third game without victory. This stumble opens the door slightly for Barcelona, who now eye an easier path toward leading La Liga once more.
Right now, Barcelona holds 76 points as the championship battle heats up, six ahead of Madrid, even though Madrid has one extra match under their belt. Should they win their upcoming game, the gap might grow to nine points, leaving only seven fixtures left in the season.
Valverde strike for Real Madrid cancelled as Girona fight back
Federico Valverde put Real Madrid ahead just after halftime. Moments later, Girona struck back through Thomas Lemar, who found the net at 62 minutes, quieting those in the stands. A quick reply shifted the mood inside the stadium.
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Under pressure after losing to Mallorca, Real Madrid started strong when they took the field. A key Champions League game ahead did not stop manager Alvaro Arbeloa from picking top players. Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham pushed forward early, leading attacks that looked sharp at times. Chances stayed rare, though, even with long spells of control in the opening half.
Out of nowhere, Girona held their shape tight, staying organised while poking at chances when they broke forward. Just before halftime, Ounahi nearly cracked it open, stopped dead by Lunin’s quick reaction. The moment fizzled fast.
A sudden spark lit things up post halftime, Valverde opening the scoring in the 51st minute when his grounded effort sneaked past keeper Paulo Gazzaniga. Not long after, around eleven minutes on, Lemar weaved inward before lashing a sharp finish into the far side, giving Lunin zero time to react.
Even after chasing a goal, Madrid could not settle into a rhythm near the opponent's box. Attacks lost shape, moving too fast without connection, yet Girona stayed steady at the back, blocking chances with calm resolve. The home side pressed hard but found little space to work through.
Fans at Bernabeu let out groans when the match ended, upset by how Madrid keeps stumbling. Their shaky performances are chipping away at any real shot they had at winning La Liga. With every slip, Barcelona edges closer to taking full control of the race.
