Girona denied Real Madrid all three points at the Estadi Montilivi as both sides battled to a 1-1 draw in a tense LaLiga encounter on Saturday. Azzedine Ounahi put the hosts ahead in the 44th minute, but Kylian Mbappé’s second-half penalty ensured Madrid left Catalonia with at least a point.
Real Madrid, who entered the fixture as league leaders, dominated large spells of the match but were repeatedly frustrated by Girona’s compact defending and the excellent display of goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
The first half saw Madrid create several chances through Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and Mbappé, but Girona struck first against the run of play. Ounahi fired a superb right-footed shot into the top right corner just before the break, sending the home fans into celebration.
Madrid thought they had equalised earlier in the 39th minute, but Mbappé’s goal was overturned by VAR due to a handball in the build-up.
Xabi Alonso’s men pushed harder in the second half and were finally rewarded in the 66th minute. Vinícius Júnior was fouled inside the area, and Mbappé calmly converted the resulting penalty to make it 1-1.
Madrid increased the pressure late on, with chances from Vinícius, Bellingham, and Mbappé, but Girona held firm. The hosts nearly stole all three points through Joel Roca and Axel Witsel, but Thibaut Courtois made key saves to keep the score level.
The result means Real Madrid remain second on the table, with a point behind Barcelona.
