Catalan Clash Ends in a 1-1 ThrilL: Girona Denies Real Madrid in Montilivi
30 November 2025
Match snapshot
Real Madrid's La Liga slump continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Girona on Sunday at Montilivi in round 14.
Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi gave Girona the lead in the 45th minute, and Kylian Mbappé equalized for Real Madrid from the penalty spot in the 67th.
The stalemate left Madrid on 33 points, in second place, with their title rivals Barcelona on top with 34.
Girona moved up to 12 points, yet remain near the relegation zone's lower end at 18th.
The match opened with early chances from both sides. A long-range effort from a Girona player in the opening minute forced a save, and the defense cleared.
In the 4th minute, Vinícius complained of a refereeing decision after the ball went out of play, but the official allowed play to continue for Girona.
Madrid dominated possession as the first half wore on, with Mbappé blasting over the bar from distance in the 10th minute, followed by a Güler attempt after a Mbappé pass that went wide.
In the 15th minute, Chouaméni's shot from outside the box was blocked; in the 18th, Courtois produced a sharp save from Girona's counter.
In the 22nd, Vinícius tried from inside the area but shot over; Mbappé's follow-ups kept Girona's keeper busy.
The 36th and 38th minutes brought Madrid chances from Bellingham and Valverde, then Gazzaniga's superb save from Militao's header denied the hosts a second.
Mbappé had a goal for Madrid in the 40th minute but it was ruled offside after a Video Assistant Referee check.
Just before half-time, Girona struck again. A dazzling pass from Tsyanjakov set up Ounahi for a first-time shot that beat Courtois, giving Girona a 1-0 lead at the break.
Madrid pressed after the break; in the 52nd minute, Courtois denied a one-on-one finish from a Girona attacker.
In the 60th, a Madrid goal was chalked off for offside.
In the 62nd, Arnau Martínez blocked a sharp shot from Vinícius after a Trent cross, and a foul on Vinícius in the 65th earned Madrid a penalty.
Mbappé converted the spot-kick in the 66th, sliding the ball into the bottom-left corner to make it 1-1.
Madrid pushed for a late winner, but Gazzaniga produced more saves to ensure the draw.
Punchline 1: If football were a stand-up routine, this act would be titled Offside and Late—audience remains uncertain but the jokes stay onside.
Punchline 2: Gravity? It still wins—every ball that leaves the box comes back down like a boomerang, just not into the net.
