Real Madrid extended their lead at the summit of LaLiga to five points with a 4-0 win over Girona in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 4-0 Girona
Date: 10 February 2024
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Madrid were boosted by the return of Vinicius Junior, who returner from injury to join Rodrygo and Bellingham in attack while Aurelien Tchouameni was recalled to play in an unfamiliar centre-back role, with Eder Militao, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger all out injured.
Los Blancos had a the start they were looking for after Vinicius Junior fired them ahead six minutes in with a curling shot that found the top corner after he was given space to pick his spot outside the box.
Carlo Ancelotti's charges controlled the game from there as they held possession for longer periods and Bellingham eventually doubled their lead ten minutes before the interval after rounded goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga to score into an empty net after a through ball by Vinicius Junior.
Madrid were comfortable as half-time was approaching and Girona needed to raise their game in the second stanza to stand any chance of coming back.
However, Funez Salva's troops continued to back-pedal coming from the break and Bellingham already put the game to bed for Madrid ten minutes with a strike from a rebound and completed his brace.
Bellingham was rested shortly thereafter, as he was replaced by Brahim Diaz and the home side ran riot on the hour-mark as Rodrygo also got himself in the scoresheet with a curling strike after a solo run.
In a one-way traffic in the closing stages, Diaz had a big chance to make it 5-0 for Los Blancos after beating the offside trap to clear on goal but he curled his shot wide.
Joselu had a big chance from the penalty spot to make it 5-0 for Madrid in stoppages after Arda Guler was brought down in the box but his spot-kick came off the post.
Los Blancos stretched their lead at the top of the table and ahead of Girona to five points.
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