Luka Modric delivered a spectacular long-range goal on Sunday that helped Real Madrid secure a 2-0 win over Girona, bringing them back level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. The goal, combined with a late finish by Vinicius Junior, underscored Carlo Ancelotti’s side’s solid performance at the Santiago Bernabéu.
After trailing earlier in the season and facing setbacks—including their recent exit from the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid—Manchester City now find themselves 20 points adrift of the league leaders. In contrast, Real Madrid, who had not won in their previous three league matches, demonstrated their strength by dispatching City in a midweek Champions League clash, and now solidify their title challenge with a crucial win.
Modric, whose strike was the highlight of the match, told Real Madrid TV, “It’s a very important win, we have to stay in the fight. We can’t let our level slip and consider ourselves satisfied; we can still grow as a team.” The Croatian midfielder further added, “I was by myself, I controlled the ball, I hit it well and it went in. I don’t know if it’s one of the most spectacular I’ve scored, but it was really nice. It’s always special to score at the Bernabéu.”
The match saw Liverpool’s rivals, Manchester City, struggle to break down a disciplined Real Madrid defense. Despite a notable effort from City’s Egyptian international—whose finish was nullified by an offside call on Omar Marmoush—the visitors’ attacking options were limited. Jeremy Doku was seen bypassing Trent Alexander-Arnold repeatedly, yet failed to deliver any decisive crosses or shots.
In the second half, Vinicius Junior sealed the win by converting a perfectly weighted pass from Kylian Mbappe, brushing the ball past a helpless Girona goalkeeper. Although Manchester City had nearly 70% possession, their dominance did not convert into goals, and Real Madrid’s efficiency on the counter-attack proved too much to handle.
The victory, which could have been even more emphatic if Liverpool had capitalized further, was tempered by a VAR review that ruled out a potential third goal when Curtis Jones’s effort was deemed offside. Additionally, a brilliant save by Ederson from a Luis Diaz attempt, coupled with a last-ditch tackle by Abdukodir Khusanov to prevent another goal, further highlighted City’s defensive frailties.
David Alaba made his first appearance for Los Blancos in over a year following a severe knee injury and expressed his delight with the result. “It’s a very important win for us; I am very, very happy. After the injury, I was ready to start this game,” he said on Real Madrid TV.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid will face Real Sociedad away in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, while Girona’s coach, Michel Sanchez, acknowledged that his team—currently placed 12th—will struggle against the European champions. Meanwhile, in another part of Spain, Athletic Bilbao continued their impressive run by thumping Real Valladolid 7-1, keeping their hopes alive for Champions League football next season.
Overall, Modric’s stunning strike and the clinical finishing by Vinicius Junior have rejuvenated Real Madrid’s title challenge, as they now look to build on this momentum in a highly competitive league season.
AFP
