Real Madrid secured a pivotal victory over Girona on February 23, 2025, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, edging the match 1-0 largely thanks to Luka Modric's stunning performance. This win allowed Los Blancos to keep pace with their rivals at the top of the La Liga standings.
Under immense pressure to deliver after rival teams Barcelona and Atletico Madrid notched victories, Real Madrid needed this win to bolster their title defense. The match initially posed challenges for the home side; they struggled to create significant opportunities during the first half, allowing Girona to execute their game plan effectively.
The first 40 minutes saw Real Madrid dominate possession, but Girona stood firm defensively. It wasn’t until the 40th minute when the breakthrough moment occurred. Modric picked up the ball just outside the box after Girona's clearance, and with remarkable composure, he unleashed an absolute screamer, volleying the ball emphatically past Girona goalkeeper Paul Gazzaniga. This goal not only put Real Madrid on the scoreboard but has since been hailed as one of the standout goals of the season.
Following Modric's goal, accolades poured in from social media, with outlets like Premier Sports calling the strike “ridiculous” and others echoing the sentiment. "Luka Modric with a RIDICULOUS strike 🤯 The Real Madrid midfielder scores one of the goals of the season against Girona," they tweeted.
The moment undoubtedly switched the momentum of the match. Girona, having threatened the home side’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois earlier, found themselves needing to regroup. Despite their best efforts, including Van de Beek’s attempt on Courtois and solid defensive organization, they could not convert their chances.
With half-time approaching, Real Madrid entered the break with renewed confidence, leading 1-0. The second half began with both teams maintaining their tactical setups, but Real Madrid seemed more determined to increase their lead. Manager Carlo Ancelotti was actively seeking improvements, aiming for greater precision and attacking movement.
During the second half, Real Madrid had several close calls to extend their lead. Vinicius Junior, who had been lively throughout the game, aimed several attacks toward the Girona goal but faced challenges with finishing. At one point, he raced down the left flank and chose to shoot rather than pass to the waiting Mbappe, which resulted high over the bar.
Real Madrid made strategic substitutions to inject energy and resolve. Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos came on to maintain control, facilitating Madrid's attempts to close out the game effectively.
Despite mounting pressure from Real Madrid, Girona looked to exploit counter-attack opportunities, hoping for mistakes from the merengues. Nonetheless, their efforts were thwarted by the solid performances from the Real Madrid defense.
Critically, Real Madrid managed to navigate through Girona's strong defense, leveraging Modric's leadership and experience, which shone through during the match. This victory was not merely sought after; it was fundamental—after several disappointments previously, the revival under Ancelotti becomes increasingly apparent.
Missing from the pitch was Jude Bellingham, whose absence due to suspension was felt deeply. Images of him supporting his teammates from the stands—alongside his family—underlined the team's unity and resolve. Influential figures like Real Madrid legend Dani Carvajal were also seen rallying support for the squad from the sidelines.
Looking forward, Real Madrid's recent win could signal the start of regaining their form, which they desperately need as they prepare to face Real Betis next. Ancelotti emphasized the importance of resilience and maintaining the strong attitude needed to finish strong this season. "We've had a bit of bad luck. We have to continue in this line. If you play well and have a good attitude, the result will reward you in the end," he noted.
This narrow victory against Girona not only helps Los Blancos stay competitive in La Liga but also sets the scene for more exciting matchups as the title race intensifies. Every match is now seen as pivotal as they approach the final stretch of the season, with every three points counting significantly toward their title ambitions.
With real-time matches and updates accessible through various streaming platforms, fans remain engaged and hopeful as Real Madrid continues its campaign for La Liga supremacy.