Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid – In a match far from their most polished performance, Real Madrid secured a vital 2-0 win against Girona on Sunday, keeping themselves firmly in the race for the La Liga title. While Carlo Ancelotti’s side struggled with sloppy play and missed opportunities, moments of brilliance from Luka Modric and Vinicius Jr. ensured the three points stayed in Madrid.
The game started with Real Madrid asserting their dominance early on, as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius combined repeatedly to create chances. However, Girona’s goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga, was in inspired form, pulling off a string of impressive saves to keep the hosts at bay. At the other end, Thibaut Courtois was equally alert, making a couple of crucial stops to ensure Girona didn’t sneak an early lead.
The breakthrough finally came five minutes before halftime, and it was none other than the evergreen Luka Modric who delivered the moment of magic. The Croatian midfielder controlled a looping clearance on the edge of the box with his trademark composure before unleashing a thunderous strike into the far corner. It was a goal that showcased Modric’s enduring class and gave Madrid the lead they desperately needed.
The second half saw Madrid continue to create chances, but their finishing left much to be desired. Vinicius came close to doubling the lead with a curling effort that rattled the crossbar, while Mbappe, who had been in scintillating form with a midweek hat-trick against Manchester City, squandered a golden opportunity. The French forward found himself through on goal with just the keeper to beat, but his shot was saved by Gazzaniga, much to the frustration of the home fans.
Despite the missed chances, Madrid eventually sealed the victory in the closing minutes. Vinicius, who had been lively throughout the game, finally got his reward after a quick one-two with Mbappe. The Brazilian forward calmly slotted the ball past Gazzaniga to make it 2-0 and put the game beyond Girona’s reach.
While the win was crucial, it was far from a flawless performance from Madrid. The absence of Jude Bellingham was noticeable, as the team lacked their usual drive and creativity in midfield. Additionally, the forwards were unusually wasteful in front of goal, with Mbappe and Rodrygo both guilty of missing chances they would normally convert.
Player Performances
- Thibaut Courtois (7/10): The Belgian goalkeeper made a couple of important saves in the first half to keep Girona at bay and had little to do after the break.
- Lucas Vazquez (6/10): The right-back was energetic and industrious, but his final delivery lacked precision.
- Raul Asencio (7/10): The defender had a quiet but solid game, forming a reliable partnership with David Alaba.
- David Alaba (6/10): Returning to the starting lineup, Alaba was tidy and composed, making no noticeable errors.
- Ferland Mendy (6/10): The left-back provided defensive cover and allowed Vinicius to push forward freely.
In midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10) was steady and reliable, breaking up play and keeping possession ticking over. Brahim Diaz (5/10), handed a rare start, failed to make a significant impact, while Luka Modric (8/10) was the standout performer. The Croatian not only scored a stunning goal but also dictated the tempo of the game with his vision and passing.
Up front, Rodrygo (5/10) showed flashes of his skill but lacked sharpness in front of goal, while Kylian Mbappe (6/10) was uncharacteristically wasteful, missing chances he would normally bury. Vinicius Jr. (7/10) started slowly but grew into the game, hitting the bar and eventually scoring the decisive second goal.
Despite the patchy performance, Ancelotti will be relieved to see his team grind out a win in such a tightly contested title race. With Barcelona just a few points behind, every victory is crucial as the season enters its final stretch. Madrid will need to sharpen up their finishing and rediscover their rhythm if they are to maintain their challenge for the La Liga crown.
For now, though, the Santiago Bernabeu faithful can celebrate another three points and the enduring brilliance of Luka Modric, who once again proved that age is just a number.
