Shock Spanish title challengers Girona snatched a outstanding 4-3 victory over Atletico Madrid to maintain tempo with Real Madrid on the prime of La Liga on Wednesday.
After Los Blancos edged Real Mallorca 1-0 due to Antonio Rudiger’s purpose, Ivan Martin’s stoppage time strike ensured the Catalan minnows matched Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect on 48 factors from 19 matches.
Alvaro Morata hit a hat-trick for Atletico at Girona’s tiny Montilivi stadium, but it surely was not sufficient as Martin discovered the highest nook on the dying to maintain Girona firmly within the hunt for the title.
Atletico, third, path each Real and Girona by 10 factors, as do champions Barcelona, fourth, who go to Las Palmas on Thursday.
Valery Fernandez, Savinho and Daley Blind netted for the hosts in a wild first half, with Morata twice scoring for Atletico.
The Spain worldwide accomplished his treble early within the second interval to tug Atletico degree however Martin’s final gasp heroics snatched Girona victory from a compelling conflict.
“It’s a historic night for us, for the city, for the province,” Girona coach Michel informed Movistar.
Girona, in solely their fourth season within the prime flight of their historical past and promoted in 2022, might have taken the lead inside the primary minute.
Artem Dovbyk fired huge on the close to publish when nicely positioned, however his workforce didn’t have to attend for much longer.
Valery curled dwelling within the second minute past Jan Oblak with a high-quality strike from the sting of the world, earlier than Morata pulled Atletico degree, staying onside by a whisker.
Girona have been shortly again forward with Savinho netting after 26 minutes, turning dwelling after Oblak parried Martin’s effort.
Blind turned dwelling the third after Aleix Garcia’s cross was cleverly flicked on to the again publish by Dovbyk.
Morata was closely concerned for Atletico and after netting from Rodrigo de Paul’s move, struck once more — this time he was offside.
The ahead accomplished his hat-trick after the break with the help of a slight deflection, after being despatched by way of once more by De Paul.
The sport continued to movement end-to-end earlier than Martin determined it, scrapping for an inch of house inside the world and prodding a end into the highest nook, with Oblak solely capable of watch as Girona’s dream grew larger nonetheless.
Even battle
Mallorca battled nicely in opposition to Real Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu earlier than Rudiger grabbed the hosts their victory.
The defender headed dwelling from a nook with 12 minutes remaining to settle a decent conflict through which Mallorca twice hit the woodwork.
Vinicius Junior made his return from damage as Los Blancos struggled to discover a means by way of in opposition to their cussed guests on the Santiago Bernabeu.
Eventually Rudiger transformed from Luka Modric’s nook to seal victory forward of second-place Girona’s conflict with Atletico Madrid, third, later Wednesday.
“I scored last season (against Mallorca) and this year again, I’m very happy because it was an important goal and an important three points for us,” mentioned Rudiger.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was blissful his workforce took benefit of a set piece to safe victory, simply as they did in opposition to Alaves of their final sport of 2023.
“We lacked some freshness and accuracy in the final third, but we won because of a well-taken set piece,” Ancelotti informed reporters.
“There are games like today’s in which dead balls can give you an advantage — we played against a team that defended well.”
Madrid have now gone 18 matches with out defeat throughout all competitions.
With David Alaba and Eder Militao injured and Nacho Fernandez suspended, the Italian was compelled to innovate, however he was capable of deliver winger Vinicius again into the aspect for the primary time since November 11 after a hamstring damage.
Vinicius dragged huge of purpose after which was thwarted by Mallorca goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic on a comparatively quiet return.
Ancelotti withdrew Vinicius within the sixtieth minute for Brahim Diaz, who hit the publish with a close-range diving header earlier than Rudiger finally pounced.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
