View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)

Login

Real Lose Ground On Barca After Shock Loss

Real Lose Ground On Barca After Shock Loss

GIRONA, SPAIN - APRIL 25: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid argue with Valentin Castellanos of Girona FC during the LaLiga Santander match between Girona FC and Real Madrid CF at Montilivi Stadium on April 25, 2023 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Real Madrid had a night to forget after losing 4-2 to Girona, with Taty Castellanos scoring all four goals on Tuesday night.

LaLiga

Result: Girona 4-2 Real Madrid

Date: 25 April 2023

Venue: Estadi Montilivi

Madrid made five changes following their win over Celta Vigo, as goalkeeper Andriy Lunin took the place of Thibaut Courtois, who was pulled out of the squad in the last minute, alongside recalls for Rodrygo, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Dani Carvajal while Karim Benzema missed out due to injury.

Girona were full of energy in the early stages and they were rewarded on 12 minutes after Taty Castellanos powered them ahead with a header from a cross by Miguel Gutierrez.

Los Blancos were too eager to get forward and were caught on a counter-attack on 24 minutes as Castellanos doubled the lead for the home side and got his brace with a low strike past Lunin after racing clear on goal.

Carlo Ancelotti's charges had more urgency going forward and Vinicius Junior reduced the deficit 11 minutes before the interval with a header at the back post after a cross by Marco Asensio.

Girona were once again a threat on transitions and Yan Couto had a chance to restore their two-goal cushion on the stroke of half-time after Victor Tsygankov broke away and played a cut-back but Couto sliced his shot wide.

Michel's troops had a perfect start in the second stanza as Castellanos made it 3-1 within a minute from the restart and completed his hat-trick after he fired home first-time shot from a cross by Couto, who went through on goal on the wing.

Girona made life uncomfortable for Madrid with a high press and Castellanos incredibly made it 4-1 just after the hour-mark and scored his fourth goal with a header in the box after a deflected cross from a short corner.

The hosts had their tails up and were threatening to embarrass Madrid and with ten minutes to go, Ancelotti looked for a change of fortunes from the bench, as Mariano Diaz replaced Rodrygo and Lucas Vazquez came on for Carvajal at right-back.

Vazquez gave Los Blancos a lifeline after he got the second goal back five minutes before time with a tap-in from a cut-back by Vinicius Junior on the byline.

However, it was too little too late, even for Madrid, as they remained 11 points behind table-toppers Barcelona in second place on the table, having played an extra game while Girona climbed up to ninth.

You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.

Click here to register!

Related tags

Comments

Top 5

Pirates Jet Off To Spain – But Who’s Missing The Flight?

Jul 08, 2025 02:47 PM in Orlando-Pirates

Sundowns Confirm Five Exits

Jul 07, 2025 07:27 AM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

One Week In: All Confirmed PSL Signings

Jul 08, 2025 08:32 AM in Siyagobhoza

Ndlovu, Monyane & Co! How Chiefs Could Line Up

Jul 06, 2025 02:58 PM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Pirates Contract Breakthrough In Saleng Talks

Jul 08, 2025 01:58 PM in Orlando-Pirates

Siwelele Trio Left In The Dark

Jul 10, 2025 10:15 AM in Siyagobhoza

Riveiro To ‘Punish’ Ahly Players

Jul 10, 2025 01:35 PM in African Football

Seema Close To Topflight Return?

Jul 10, 2025 11:09 AM in Siyagobhoza

Bolton Manager Reveals Pirates Game Plan

Jul 10, 2025 12:37 PM in Orlando-Pirates

Fans Slam Pirates' Decision On Saleng

Jul 10, 2025 02:16 PM in Fan Park