Real Madrid could not get more than a draw against Girona at the Santiago Bernabéu on LaLiga matchday 12. The match was open but no goal was scored until the game was heading towards the end. Vini Jr. put the leaders ahead with 70 minutes gone, but the Catalan side brought the scores level ten minutes later after being awarded a controversial penalty for handball against Asensio, which the referee Melero López blew after following a VAR review. Rodrygo made it 2-1 on 89’, but saw his effort ruled out as the official judged his intervention at the goalkeeper as a foul.
It was an open game since the start and both teams had their own to say even why Real Madrid had more shots on goal in the final overview. The high pace of the game got both teams off guard in some cases, leaving spaces behind resulting in several dangerous scoring opportunities. The playing time lasted more than 100 minutes as some of the referee’s decisions were subject to controversy. It was clearly a tough game both psychologically and physically. Madridistas saw a frustrating result for Madridistas, mostly because of the opportunities and the controversial decisions.
In the second minute, Madrid could have taken an early lead when Modrić's shot flew just wide after some neat link-up play with Carvajal. Girona responded in the very next move, but Castellanos' effort when off-balance failed to cause any real problems. Madrid were trying their luck from distance as they looked to break the deadlock, first through Camavinga's left-footed drive, before Rodrygo's strike on 9’ skimmed inches wide of the post.
The game was being played at break-neck pace and Girona had a good chance to make it 0-1 but Valery's solid header failed to find the target. The league leaders hit back on 22', but Camavinga's curling effort fizzed just the wrong side of Gazzaniga's far post. Ancelotti's side continued to press, enjoying the best chance of the half just a minute later thanks to a flowing team move. Valverde laid the ball back for Rodrygo and the striker's rasping drive came crashing back off the post. The visitors were then foiled by the woodwork themselves ahead of half-time, the crossbar denying Yangel Herrera. The first half finished goalless despite good chances for both teams.
Madrid's just reward did arrive with 70 minutes on the clock as Rodrygo, Carvajal and Valverde linked up beautifully inside the box. The Uruguayan did well on the right to force his way into a position in the box from where he centered and Vinicius was well placed beneath the crossbar to tap into an open goal. At 1-0, Ancelotti’s men came close to doubling their advantage just two minutes later and only a sublime Gazzaniga hand kept out Asensio's impressive effort on the half-turn.
Madrid's joy was ultimately short-lived though, as a counter-attack by the home side following a corner was pulled back and VAR drew the official's attention to an Asensio handball on 77’. The images showed the ball came off the madridista's stomach first, but after heading to the monitor, Melero López judged the case as a foul and pointed to the spot. Stuani stepped up from eleven meters of distance to make it 1-1 as Courtois failed to guess the right side.
The White team threw everything forward and with 89 on the clock, managed to make it 2-1. Mariano went on a mazy run and set up Rodrygo, who got the better of Gazzaniga in a scrap on the goal-line, only for Melero López to rule the goal out for a foul on the keeper. The Brazilian had kicked the ball out of Girona goalkeeper’s hand. In time added-on, Ancelotti's team were reduced to ten men as Kroos saw a second yellow card trying to stop a counter attack of the oppoent. Only a point for Madrid versus Girona, in what was the 2nd draw of the season. However, Madridistas maintain their place at the top of the LaLiga table, one point ahead of Barca.
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