Real Madrid 2-0 Girona: Match report & 3 talking points as champions cruise to victory | OneFootball

Real Madrid responded to Atletico Madrid and Barcelona's victories on Saturday by beating Girona 2-0 in the Spanish capital.

Madrid started the day in third and without a La Liga victory in three games. They hadn't gone four games without a win in this competition since 2018, and the title holders returned to winning ways on Sunday.

Luka Modric and Vincius Junior were on the scoresheet for the hosts, as they moved back up to second and level on points with league leaders Barcelona.

Victories for title rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid thrust some pressure onto Carlo Ancelotti's side, who entered Sunday's bout off the back of a comprehensive victory over Manchester City in the week.

The Italian rotated handily from Wednesday's 3-1 win, finally offering Federico Valverde some respite by dropping the Uruguayan to the bench. Brahim Diaz came in for the suspended Jude Bellingham.

Thibaut Courtois was the first goalkeeper tested as he kept out an Ivan Martin cross at the near post, but the Belgian's opposite number, Paulo Gazzaniga, soon had his palms stung by a Kylian Mbappe toe poke.

Madrid's early success came in transition, although Vinicius Junior wasn't able to make the most of some excellent positions. The hosts huffed and puffed when Girona settled into a block; interchanging plenty but rarely getting in behing the visitors' backline. Gazzaniga had enjoyed a quiet afternoon before Courtois denied Donny van de Beek and Viktor Tsygankov blazed over from inside the area.

Hints of restlessness started to manifest in a serene Bernabeu, but veteran Luka Modric eased any fears of a frustrating afternoon by thumping home the opening goal from distance just before half-time.

The Croatian's goal allowed Madrid to cruise at the start of the second half, with the tempo of the contest dropping. However, the hosts were able to shift through the gears in an instant, and Vinicius started to come to the fore. The Brazilian hit the crossbar with a wicked effort from distance.

While Madrid threatened to enter the closing stages with the contest somewhat in the balance, Girona very rarely troubled the hosts despite enjoying more of the ball. However, Vinicius Jr ensured there was no nervy finish in the Spanish capital on Sunday afternoon as he poked home his first La Liga goal of 2025 from Mbappe's clever through ball.

Madrid's second sealed the contest, and they spurned a couple of late chances to bolster their goal difference. Eduardo Camavinga failed to hit the target after bursting through, while the impressive Mbappe had an effort well saved by Gazzaniga, who certainly didn't cover himself in glory for Vini's goal.

Timeless Luka Modric

Modric was sensational / Mateo Villalba/GettyImages

While Real Madrid stuttered during the first half of the season, especially during the Champions League league phase, much was made of their lack of attacking balance and woes without possession.

However, another major issue which slipped somewhat under the radar following Kylian Mbappe's arrival, was the lack of midfield control in the wake of Toni Kroos' retirement.

There was no big-name midfield arrival, so Ancelotti has turned to the once-maligned Dani Ceballos in recent weeks and continues to rely upon 39-year-old Modric. The veteran donned the armband and partnered Aurelien Tchouameni in the middle of the park, producing a vintage display.

This performance wasn't just about his stunning goal, which was somewhat reminiscent of his thunderous strike at Bolton during his final season at Tottenham Hotspur. His goal allowed Madrid to cruise in the second half off the back of a draining Champions League tie, and Modric's serenity in possession was key to the ease at which the hosts operated. Very few passes went astray, and he delivered a couple of delightful switches of play.

The control exuded by Modric on Sunday has escaped this Madrid team for much of 2024/25, with his display further proving that he has a big role to play for Ancelotti's side down the stretch.

Vinicius Junior ends goal drought

Vinicius scored his first La Liga goal since November / Mateo Villalba/GettyImages

There was no way Vinicius Jr was ending this game without returning to a La Liga scoresheet. The Brazilian, off the back of his supposed Ballon d'Or snub entered Sunday's game without a goal in six. His last strike in the Spanish top flight arrived way back in November.

Mbappe has come to the fore for Madrid in recent weeks, and the pair worked in close proximity against Girona, with the Frenchman performing a role akin to what we've seen Harry Kane master over the past few years. While Mbappe's role was noticeably fluid, Vinicius Jr primarily functioned off the left.

There was initial trepidation in the final third from the typically emphatic forward, but Madrid's game-breaker produced a much more familiar display in the second half. There were unstoppable jinks and shots from hopeful distances, one of which would've whacked the crossbar.

It looked like Vinicius Jr would endure another goalless outing, but a delightful pass from the evolving Mbappe (combined with some questionabe Gazzaniga goalkeeping) allowed the Brazilian to break his duck with ease.

Thrilling title race beckons

A point separates La Liga's top three / Anadolu/GettyImages

A point separates La Liga's top three with 13 games remaining, and we look set for a thrilling end to the season.

The games are piling up for all hopefuls. Barcelona, Madrid, and Atleti are all involved in the Copa del Rey semi-finals and the knockout stages of the Champions League – a mouthwatering Madrid derby in the last 16 of the latter competition something for everyone to look forward to.

Barca have re-emerged under Hansi Flick after a frustrating end to 2024, while Atleti are allergic to tasting defeat. They pick up points on the big occasion, and could have the advantage head-to-head when it's all said and done.

However, there's an imperious air prevailing over this Madrid team. Mbappe's firing and Vinicius Jr's goal on Sunday may well spark a run. They're not perfect, but Ancelotti's welcoming back his senior defenders and there are signs of midfield balance being established. This is usually when they come into their own, but their title rivals won't fall off the face of the Earth.

Check out the player ratings from Real Madrid 2-0 Girona here.