Real Madrid came back from their midweek defeat and prevented back-to-back La Liga losses for the first time since April 2023 with a 3-0 triumph at Girona, ending the home side’s three-match winning streak at Estadi Montilivi.
After a subdued first half, Mbappe had an early second-half chance but fired wide following a handball while controlling the ball. If the shot had gone in, it would not have counted. The visitors doubled their lead in the 55th minute when Bellingham played a perfectly timed pass to Guler, who calmly rolled the ball into the net. Bellingham was forced off moments later after appearing to sustain a knock in a challenge.
Mbappe then added Madrid’s third goal, finishing clinically from a tight angle on the right side of the area after being set up by Modric. His strike beat Gazzaniga and found the bottom corner with precision.
“We had to hold on at the beginning because (Girona) pushed hard. We did a good job collectively, and then we handled the advantage well. The team had more clarity and more ideas. I think the second half went very well.” Ancelotti said after the game.
1—Barcelona: 38 (17 GP)
2—Real Madrid: 36 (16 GP)La Liga pic.twitter.com/9utNhXTN8A
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 7, 2024
Madrid secured a 3-0 win at Montilivi and a 4-0 triumph at Santiago Bernabeu against Girona last season, further demonstrating their dominance over the Catalan side. Ancelotti will be eager to maintain this momentum ahead of their crucial Champions League clash against Atalanta, with Vinicius expected to return from a hamstring issue. Girona, currently eighth in La Liga following a slow start hindered by multiple injuries, will host Liverpool in their upcoming Champions League match on Tuesday.
With this win, Real Madrid closed the gap on league leaders Barcelona to just two points after the Catalans were held to a 2-2 draw at Real Betis, with Madrid having played one match fewer . The recent 2-2 draw against Betis proved another setback for Barca, following the 5-1 triumph over Mallorca, which had briefly raised hopes that Barcelona’s form was returning to its best.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.