CRISIS DEEPENS: Real Madrid Drop Points AGAIN as Girona Hold Los Blancos 1-1

THE CRISIS CONTINUES. Real Madrid’s winless streak in La Liga extended to three matches as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Girona at Montilivi Stadium on Sunday. Kylian Mbappe’s 67th-minute penalty rescued a point after Azzedine Ounahi’s spectacular strike gave the hosts a deserved halftime lead, but Madrid’s profligacy in front of goal and inability to break down determined opposition has now cost them the La Liga lead.

Barcelona sit one point clear at the top with 34 points after their 3-1 victory over Alaves on Saturday, while Madrid remain stuck on 33 points having dropped seven points from their last three league matches. For a team with title ambitions, this is becoming a serious crisis—and manager Xabi Alonso faces mounting questions about his side’s form.

Mbappe’s Disallowed Goal Changes Everything

Madrid dominated possession early, controlling the tempo and probing for openings. Arda Guler had the first significant chance in the 12th minute, curling an effort just wide after excellent work from Mbappe. Los Blancos looked comfortable, if not particularly threatening.

Then came the moment that shifted the entire match. In the 40th minute, Jude Bellingham played a clever pass that released Mbappe into space. The French superstar showed tremendous strength to hold off multiple Girona defenders before poking his effort past Paulo Gazzaniga. Madrid thought they’d taken the lead.

But VAR had other ideas. Replays showed the ball had struck Mbappe’s hand in the buildup to the goal, and after a review, referee Jesus Gil Manzano correctly disallowed the strike. The frustration was visible on Mbappe’s face—he’d done everything right except for one unfortunate touch.

Girona, handed a reprieve, immediately made Madrid pay. Just before halftime, Viktor Tsygankov led a rapid counter-attack down the right channel, exploiting space left by Madrid’s high defensive line. The Ukrainian winger delivered a pinpoint low cross to Ounahi, who was arriving at the top of the box with perfect timing.

What followed was pure brilliance. Ounahi opened up his body and unleashed a thunderous strike that flew into the top corner, leaving Thibaut Courtois rooted to the spot with no chance. It was a goal worthy of winning any match, and it sent the home fans into delirium as the halftime whistle blew moments later.

Second Half Dominance Without Reward

Alonso made immediate changes at the break, bringing on Eduardo Camavinga for the ineffective Guler. The tactical adjustment was clear—Madrid needed more control in midfield and greater intensity going forward.

The visitors dominated the second half, pinning Girona back and creating chance after chance. But the finishing was woeful. Eder Militao had two headers in the opening 10 minutes of the half that he should have converted. Vinicius Junior and Mbappe both fired efforts off target when they should have hit the back of the net.

In the 61st minute, Madrid thought they’d equalized when Vinicius poked home from close range. The Brazilian wheeled away in celebration, but once again, the offside flag cut short the festivities. VAR confirmed he’d strayed just beyond the last defender, and the goal was chalked off.

Madrid’s breakthrough finally arrived in the 67th minute, but it required a penalty to get there. Vinicius embarked on one of his trademark mazy runs down the left flank, twisting and turning past defenders before cutting into the box. Hugo Rincon, desperate to stop him, brought down the Brazilian with a clumsy challenge.

The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Mbappe stepped up with ice in his veins and sent Gazzaniga the wrong way, slotting his penalty into the bottom left corner. It was his 14th goal in 14 La Liga appearances this season—an incredible return that has been one of the few bright spots in Madrid’s stuttering campaign.

Madrid’s Finishing Betrays Them

The final 20 minutes became a siege. Madrid threw everything at Girona, desperate for the winner that would send them back to the top of the table. The statistics were damning—25 shots in total, with only four on target. Madrid’s expected goals (xG) reached 2.62 compared to Girona’s 1.13, highlighting just how wasteful Los Blancos were.

Mbappe had five shots, managing just one on target—the penalty. Vinicius took seven attempts, also with just one finding the target. For two of the world’s most dangerous attackers, it was a night to forget. Their profligacy summed up Madrid’s entire performance—plenty of possession and pressure, but lacking the clinical edge required to win tight matches.

Vinicius came agonizingly close in the 75th minute when he cut inside from the left and unleashed a curling effort that flew just over the crossbar. Rodrygo, brought on as a substitute, went down in the box claiming a penalty in the 80th minute, but the referee waved away the appeals. Replays suggested there might have been contact, but it wasn’t clear enough to overturn the decision.

Girona defended heroically, throwing bodies in front of shots and maintaining their defensive shape under relentless pressure. Gazzaniga was exceptional when called upon, making several crucial saves to preserve the draw. The Argentine goalkeeper has been one of Girona’s best performers this season, and he showed exactly why with another commanding display.

The Final Kick Almost Wins It

Deep into stoppage time, Madrid had one final chance to snatch all three points. The ball fell to Mbappe near the penalty spot, and he struck a bending right-footed effort toward the far post. For a moment, it looked destined for the net.

But the ball curled inches wide, bouncing agonizingly past the post as Mbappe collapsed to his knees in disbelief. It was the perfect encapsulation of Madrid’s entire afternoon—so close, yet so far. The final whistle blew moments later, and Madrid’s players trudged off the pitch knowing they’d dropped two crucial points.

Alonso Under Pressure

After the match, Xabi Alonso tried to remain positive despite the obvious disappointment. “I liked how the team reacted, even though it wasn’t enough to get the win,” he said. “In the second half we improved and we could’ve won coming from behind. We couldn’t finish the chances we created.”

The manager’s assessment was accurate—Madrid did create enough opportunities to win comfortably. But that’s precisely the problem. This isn’t an isolated incident. In their previous two league matches, Madrid drew 2-2 with Elche and 2-2 with Villarreal, dropping four points they should have collected.

“There are different phases in a season,” Alonso continued, trying to project calm. “We have to continue with the high standards required to play for Real Madrid. It’s a long season.”

But patience is wearing thin among Madrid fans and the Spanish media. Los Blancos haven’t looked convincing all season despite Alonso’s arrival generating enormous optimism. The team lacks cohesion in attack, the defense has been shaky, and the midfield—once Madrid’s greatest strength—has struggled to control matches consistently.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, making his first start at left-back, looked uncomfortable in the unfamiliar position. Fede Valverde had another off-night, failing to track runners and sitting well below his usual standards. Aurelien Tchouameni was caught ball-watching on Girona’s goal, allowing Ounahi the time and space to pick his spot.

Girona’s Tactical Masterclass

While Madrid’s struggles dominated the headlines, Girona deserve immense credit for their performance. Michel’s side came into this match 18th in the table, desperately needing points to escape the relegation zone. They executed their game plan to perfection.

Girona absorbed Madrid’s pressure in the first half, staying compact and organized while looking for opportunities on the counter. When they got their chance just before halftime, they took it with ruthless efficiency. Ounahi’s goal was his first of the season and couldn’t have come at a better time.

In the second half, Girona defended as a unit, working tirelessly to block shots and clear danger. Every player contributed defensively, from Vladyslav Vanat dropping deep to help out to Tsygankov tracking back to cover. The work rate was exceptional.

Gazzaniga’s performance in goal was the icing on the cake. He made six saves, including crucial stops to deny Militao twice in the second half. His command of the penalty area and positioning were flawless, and he showed excellent decision-making when to come out and when to stay on his line.

For Girona, this point could prove invaluable in their fight for survival. They remain 18th with 12 points but are now level with Osasuna in 17th and just one point behind Valencia and Mallorca. More importantly, they’ve shown they can compete with the elite when they execute their tactics properly.

What This Means for the Title Race

The La Liga title race has never been tighter. Barcelona lead with 34 points, Madrid have 33, Villarreal sit third with 32, and Atletico Madrid are fourth on 31. Just three points separate the top four teams after 14 matches—a remarkable level of parity.

Barcelona’s victory on Saturday put pressure on Madrid to respond, and they failed. Now the psychological advantage shifts to the Catalan giants, who know they control their own destiny. Every dropped point from Madrid feels like a gift to Barcelona’s title hopes.

Madrid face a crucial midweek fixture against Athletic Club on December 3, another away match where they’ll need to rediscover their winning formula. They return to the Bernabeu on December 7 to face Celta Vigo, but by then, they could find themselves even further behind if Barcelona continue their winning ways.

The problem for Alonso is that Madrid’s issues aren’t easily fixed. The finishing has been poor across the board, not just from the forwards. The midfield lacks control and creativity. The defense continues to make individual errors at crucial moments. These are systemic problems that require time and work on the training ground.

“It’s an opportunity to win away from home again,” Alonso said when asked about the Athletic Club match. “The points are what they are, we’re still there. This is going to be a long season and the table is going to be very tight.”

He’s right that it’s early, and Madrid remain in contention. But with each dropped point, the margin for error grows smaller. Barcelona are hitting their stride under Hansi Flick, playing the kind of attractive, winning football that Madrid can only dream of right now.

Individual Performances

Courtois was one of Madrid’s better performers, making three important saves including a massive stop on Vanat in the 56th minute that prevented Girona from going 2-0 up. Without his heroics, Madrid would have lost.

Bellingham was one of Madrid’s sharper players, winning duels in midfield and leading the team with four key passes. He’s trying to drag Madrid forward almost single-handedly, but he needs more support from those around him.

Militao and Antonio Rudiger were solid at the back, though neither could convert their headed chances. Alexander-Arnold sprayed some delicious passes but looked uncertain defensively in an unfamiliar role.

For Girona, Ounahi was the standout performer. Beyond his goal, he dominated the midfield, winning tackles and dictating play. This was the kind of display that earns transfers to bigger clubs.

Takeaway: Real Madrid’s winless streak in La Liga extended to three matches with a frustrating 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Girona at Montilivi Stadium. Azzedine Ounahi scored a spectacular goal in the 45th minute after Kylian Mbappe had a goal disallowed for handball in the buildup. Mbappe equalized from the penalty spot in the 67th minute following a foul on Vinicius Junior by Hugo Rincon. Despite dominating the second half with 25 shots and an xG of 2.62, Madrid’s wasteful finishing prevented them from finding a winner, with Mbappe’s late effort in stoppage time narrowly missing the post. Barcelona now lead La Liga by one point with 34 points to Madrid’s 33. Xabi Alonso’s side face Athletic Club midweek in another away fixture as they desperately seek to end their winless run. Paulo Gazzaniga made six saves for Girona, who earned a crucial point in their relegation battle.

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