Real Madrid annihilated Girona 4-0 in a comfortable win at the Santiago Bernabeu. This victory now gives the Merengues a 5-point lead and some breathing space at the top of the table.
Girona now happens to have lost two games in La Liga this season – both against Real Madrid with the combined scoreline for both fixtures being 7-0.
Vinícius scored a FIFA-esque long-range goal in the 6th minute to open the scoring. Since then, the European giants did not look back and took the attack to the Catalan side.
Girona’s right-back, Yan Couto – who is also on Real Madrid’s scouting radar – had a forgettable day in the field as Vinícius was at his best and always had the better of the right-back.
The Brazilian was involved in the 2nd goal as well, after he put a sumptuous trivela pass in the path of Jude Bellingham who went around the keeper and netted a goal to double the lead in the 1st half.
The Englishman scored his second of the night and perhaps a rather easy goal as he just had to tap the ball inside the net after Vinícius’ effort was saved by Paulo Gazzinaga on the first attempt.
Bellingham had an injury scare as well and as a precautionary measure, Ancelotti replaced him 3 minutes after he had scored the goal. The Italian did not want to take any risks as Champions League football begins next week.
Rodrygo ended his 5-match goal drought as he added to Girona’s misery, when he made a solo run till inside the box to score the 4th of the night – much to the Brazilian’s delight.
Arda Güler came on later in the game and showed a few glimpses of his talent as he earned a penalty, which Joselu took and hit the woodwork.
This was arguably the most perfect game a Madridista could have asked for. Bellingham scored a brace and increased his league tally to 16 – and overall tally to 20. Vinícius continued his sublime form, scoring his 12th goal of the season along with 7 assists.
Moreover, fans can also breathe a sigh of relief as Rodrygo ends his goal drought and is finally amongst the goal scorers. Toni Kroos, Camavinga, and Valverde put up an exceptional show as well.
All points to the defensive line too because just hours before the fixture, Carlo Ancelotti faced a setback as Antonio Rüdiger was ruled out for two weeks which left the Italian with no centre-backs in the squad.
The back line was expected to be tested since Girona has scored 52 goals in the league so far. But the defense was solid and had neutralized Girona’s attack really well.
After this game, Real Madrid travel to Germany to face RB Leipzig in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
Girona, coming into this fixture had a chance to dethrone Real Madrid and put up a show at the Bernabeu. The opposite happened and they were outplayed on all fronts. The Catalan side learned things the hard way: You come at the King, you best not miss.