On February 23, 2023, Real Madrid solidified their position as serious contenders for the La Liga title by defeating Girona 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu. This victory marked their first win after three consecutive matches without success, placing them back on level points with FC Barcelona. The significance of this match increased as both of their rival teams played earlier and secured victories on the same weekend.
The win was particularly timely for Real Madrid, who had just emerged victorious from the knockout stage of the Champions League, having triumphed 3-1 against Manchester City. Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s side faced challenges with player absences due to suspension and injury, with star midfielder Jude Bellingham missing the game due to suspension and Antonio Rüdiger not starting due to fitness concerns. Modrić, returning to the starting lineup after injury, and other key players Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior made their presence felt from the outset.
Real Madrid took command early, maintaining possession but struggling against Girona's well-organized defense, which adopted a compact 4-4-2 formation aimed at counter-attacking effectively. Despite the attacking flair of forwards like Rodrigo and Brahim Díaz, the initial push from Madrid failed to yield clear scoring opportunities. It wasn't until the 41st minute when veteran midfielder Luka Modrić made his mark. Receiving the ball from a corner, Modrić executed a brilliant half-volley from the edge of the box, finding the net and bringing the crowd to life.
With Madrid leading 1-0 at halftime, they made tactical changes to infuse more energy. Midway through the second half, Ancelotti shuffled players, switching positions to keep Girona guessing and apply more pressure. Despite Vinícius' energetic dribbling and attempts on goal, including hitting the crossbar, the team continued to seek the elusive second goal.
83 minutes in, they finally delivered. Vinícius Júnior, linking with Mbappé, broke through Girona's defenses again, controlling the ball expertly and sliding it past the keeper after receiving a precise pass inside the penalty area. This goal not only secured the two-goal lead but also appeared to finish off Girona's hopes of mounting any comeback.
Real Madrid's defense, bolstered by the return of experienced players, held firm against late efforts from Girona, who attempted to capitalize on Madrid's lapses but found no success. The final whistle blew, confirming the 2-0 victory and allowing Madrid to finally experience the sweet taste of success after their prior struggles.
With this win, Real Madrid joined Barcelona with 54 points, though they remained second due to goal difference. The intensity of the title race underlines the pressure Ancelotti's men will continue to face, especially with the likes of Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, both determined to claim the La Liga crown. The match against Girona served not only as a much-needed victory but as a reminder of Real Madrid’s championship pedigree and the importance of senior players like Modrić, whose highlight-reel goal exemplified the artistry of football.