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

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

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

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

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

Kylian Mbappe briefly thought he had given 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. He rifled a precise finish beyond Thibaut Courtois.

The goal lifted the home crowd and left Madrid chasing the match. However, their attacking play lacked fluency and incision.

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

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

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

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, but his finish was ruled out for offside before the final pass.

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

The draw leaves Madrid one point behind Barcelona, with their recent run of one win in five matches raising questions about their rhythm and sharpness.