Shock Spanish title challengers, Girona, on Wednesday night, snatched a remarkable 4-3 victory over Atletico Madrid to keep pace with Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga.
After Madrid edged Mallorca 1-0, Ivan Martin’s stoppage time strike ensured the Catalan minnows matched Carlo Ancelotti’s side on 48 points from 19 matches.
Alvaro Morata hit a hat-trick for Atletico at Girona’s tiny Montilivi stadium, but it was not enough as Martin found the top corner at the death to keep Girona firmly in the hunt for the title.
Atletico Madrid, third, trail Los Blancos and Girona by 10 points, as do champions Barcelona, fourth, who visit 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.
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The Spain international completed his treble early in the second period to pull Atletico level but Martin’s last gasp heroics snatched Girona victory from a compelling clash.
Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger scored to earn Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Mallorca.
The defender headed home from a corner with 12 minutes remaining to settle a tight clash in which Mallorca twice hit the woodwork.
Vinicius Junior made his return from injury as Los Blancos struggled to find a way through against their stubborn visitors at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Eventually, Rudiger converted from Luka Modric’s corner to seal a victory for Madrid.
“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,” Rudiger said after the game.
Madrid manager, Ancelotti, was happy his team took advantage of a set piece to secure victory, just as they did against Alaves in their last game of 2023.
Ancelotti told reporters: “We lacked some freshness and accuracy in the final third, but we won because of a well-taken set piece.
“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 without defeat across all competitions.
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