Mbappé Strikes but Madrid Slip in Girona Showdown
So this match between Girona and Real Madrid turned into one of those nights where the story felt like it kept twisting right until the final whistle. Madrid came in needing a win to jump back to the top of the league, but instead they were held to a 1-1 draw that left the locker room a little frustrated and the title race even tighter.
The opening half never really settled for Madrid, and Girona took advantage of that. Just before the break, in the 45th minute, Azzedine Ounahi found the opener for the home side. It was one of those moments where the stadium suddenly erupted, and Madrid were sent into halftime knowing they had put themselves in trouble yet again. The pressure was on, and it was clear something needed to change.
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In the second half, you could feel Madrid pushing harder. The tempo increased, the movement became sharper, and eventually the breakthrough arrived. Kylian Mbappé, who had just scored four goals in the Champions League midweek, stepped up to take a penalty in the 67th minute. It was dispatched calmly, bringing Madrid level and giving them a real chance to chase a comeback victory. And to be honest, it almost happened. Deep into stoppage time, Mbappé found himself with space near the penalty spot and unleashed a right-footed strike that slid just wide. The entire away end held its breath, and you could sense the disappointment when it missed by inches.
After the match, Xabi Alonso made it clear he liked the team’s response in the second half, even if the result didn’t swing their way. He said the team had improved, created chances, and could easily have won after coming from behind, but the finishing simply wasn’t there.
There was also a bit of controversy. Madrid complained that they should have had another penalty in the 80th minute after Rodrygo went down under a challenge. The referee, however, wasn’t convinced, and play continued.
This draw marked Madrid’s third straight in the league, which is not the kind of momentum any title-chasing side wants. With Barcelona winning 3-1 against Alavés the previous day, Madrid slipped a point behind them after 14 matches. Girona, meanwhile, remained in the relegation zone, sitting 18th and struggling with just one win in their last six league outings, but this result at least offered them something to build on.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Villarreal kept their winning streak alive with a dramatic 3-2 finish against Real Sociedad, Betis grabbed a solid derby win over Sevilla, and Espanyol secured a late victory against Celta Vigo. But in Girona, the night belonged to hard work, missed chances, and a reminder that every point matters in a tightly packed season.
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