Real Madrid secured an emphatic 3-0 victory over Girona in La Liga, bouncing back from their midweek defeat and avoiding back-to-back losses for the first time since April 2023. The result marked the end of Girona’s impressive run of consecutive home victories at Estadi Montilivi, with their last three matches on home turf ending in wins. For Real Madrid, it was a crucial win that not only lifted their spirits but also brought them to within two points of Barcelona in the La Liga standings, with a game in hand.
A Slow Start for Los Blancos
The match started slowly for the visitors, who were still reeling from their recent poor form away from home. Despite some good buildup play, Real Madrid struggled to create chances early on. Antonio Rüdiger’s 30-yard effort sailed over the bar in the opening 20 minutes, and Girona, although unable to capitalize, remained resolute in defense.
The hosts came close to taking the lead around the half-hour mark when Yáser Asprilla threaded a delightful pass through to Donny van de Beek. The Dutch midfielder’s powerful shot, however, narrowly missed the target, grazing over the bar. It was a pivotal moment for both teams, as Girona missed an opportunity to put pressure on Real Madrid’s defense, a mistake they would come to regret.
Bellingham’s Strike Puts Real Ahead
Following the missed chance, Real Madrid quickly shifted gears. Brahim Díaz tested Girona’s goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga, with a powerful 20-yard shot, which was impressively saved. However, Real Madrid’s relentless pressure soon paid off. In the 35th minute, an awful clearance from Girona’s Arnau Martínez fell to Jude Bellingham, who made no mistake. The English midfielder’s powerful shot deflected through a sea of bodies and past Gazzaniga for his fifth goal of the season, putting Real Madrid 1-0 up.
Bellingham’s strike was a testament to his growing influence in this Real Madrid side, and it sparked Los Blancos into life. With the lead in hand, they looked to press for a second goal before halftime.
Güler’s Brilliant Finish Doubles Real’s Advantage
The second half saw Real Madrid pick up where they left off. Just seven minutes after the restart, Luka Modrić delivered a precise free-kick into the box, which found Aurélien Tchouaméni’s head. Gazzaniga pulled off an excellent save to deny Tchouaméni’s header from close range, but Real Madrid’s dominance showed no sign of waning.
Three minutes later, Jude Bellingham once again showed his vision, sending a perfect ball from the halfway line to Arda Güler. The young Turkish forward, making his mark this season, held off the defender and finished calmly past Gazzaniga for his first goal of the campaign, doubling Real Madrid’s lead to 2-0.
Güler’s goal not only highlighted his quality but also the growing sense of confidence in the squad. Real Madrid were now firmly in control, and Girona had little answer to their attacking prowess.
Mbappé Seals the Deal
With Girona’s hopes of a comeback fading, Real Madrid sealed their victory just after the hour mark. Luka Modrić’s brilliant vision found Kylian Mbappé inside the box, and from a tight angle, the French forward powered the ball past Gazzaniga for Real’s third goal. The goal was a perfect display of Mbappé’s finishing ability, and it left Girona with little chance of mounting any kind of response.
Girona, who had scored four goals in each of their previous two home matches, tried to fight back, but their efforts were all thwarted by Real Madrid’s defense and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Asprilla and Arnaut Danjuma had a few attempts on target, but Courtois was on hand to keep them at bay, ensuring that Real Madrid would leave Montilivi with all three points.
Concerns Over Injuries to Key Players
While the victory was a much-needed boost for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, there were a few concerns. Both Jude Bellingham and Ferland Mendy were forced off with injuries during the match, and their fitness will be a key factor to monitor in the coming weeks. Bellingham, in particular, has been in scintillating form this season, and his absence would be a significant blow for Los Blancos.
A Critical Victory for Real Madrid
This 3-0 win was crucial for Real Madrid. Not only did it give them a much-needed confidence boost after a difficult run of away matches, but it also brought them closer to the top of La Liga, reducing the gap to Barcelona to just two points. With a game in hand, Real Madrid will be hopeful of maintaining their form as the season progresses.
For Girona, this defeat was a bitter one, as they had hoped to extend their impressive home run. Their four-match winless streak now leaves them with work to do to regain their early-season form.
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