Mbappe penalty rescues draw against Girona but Madrid slip to second place | OneFootball

Real Madrid had to come from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at Girona, but the point cost them their place at the top of La Liga at the start of the gameweek.

Xabi Alonso’s side arrived in Catalonia knowing that only a win would take them back above Barcelona after their rivals moved top over the weekend.

A shortage of defensive options forced Alonso to pair Antonio Rudiger with the returning Eder Militao, and the makeshift partnership was tested throughout a tense first half.

Rudiger produced Real Madrid’s best early chance when his close-range header was pushed away by Paulo Gazzaniga during a spell where the visitors struggled to break Girona’s compact shape.

Kylian Mbappe briefly thought he had given Real Madrid the lead when he bundled the ball over the line, but VAR ruled the effort out for handball as he tried to control the pass in a crowded box.

Girona punished that missed opportunity just before the interval when Viktor Tsygankov found Azzedine Ounahi on the edge of the area and the midfielder rifled a precise finish beyond Thibaut Courtois.

The goal lifted the home crowd and left Real Madrid chasing the match while creating little fluency or incision with their attacking play.

Alonso introduced Eduardo Camavinga early in the second half to give the midfield greater control and the shift helped Real Madrid build sustained pressure.

Vinicius Junior became increasingly influential and won a penalty midway through the half when he was tripped by Hugo Rincon after drifting inside from the left.

Mbappe converted the spot-kick with a low strike into the corner to drag Real Madrid level and record his 23rd goal of the season.

Real Madrid pushed for a late winner as Girona sat deeper and targeted counters, but the leaders lacked precision in the final third despite waves of possession.

Mbappe went closest in stoppage time when Jude Bellingham released him down the left channel, only for his curling effort to drift inches beyond the far post.

Vinicius had earlier turned the ball in from close range during Real Madrid’s pressure spell, but his finish was ruled out for offside before the final pass.

Girona defended bravely, slowed the game when needed and frustrated Real Madrid’s attempts to raise the tempo in the closing minutes.

The draw leaves Alonso’s side second in the table and one point behind Barcelona, with their recent run of one win in five matches raising questions about their rhythm and sharpness.

Real Madrid avoided defeat, but surrendering their lead in the title race underlines how costly dropped points have become heading into a demanding stretch of the season.