Madrid, Spain – Luka Modric rolled back the years with a stunning long-range strike to help Real Madrid secure a 2-0 win against Girona on Sunday, taking them level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
The 39-year-old Croatian midfielder opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu late in the first half, while Vinicius Junior sealed the win with a second goal in the dying minutes.
The result ensured Carlo Ancelotti’s side kept pace in the title race after Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both registered wins on Saturday.
Madrid Overcome Early Girona Pressure
Girona, last season’s surprise title challengers, began brightly and tested Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the opening minutes.
Arnau Martinez found himself in space inside the box, but the Belgian shot-stopper reacted quickly to deny the visitors an early lead.
Despite Girona’s disciplined defensive shape, their attack lacked fluency, and Madrid gradually took control of possession. Los Blancos probed for openings, but clear-cut chances were rare in the first half.
Vinicius Junior, who had a lively but inconsistent display, saw a promising attack break down when he failed to connect with strike partner Kylian Mbappe.
The Brazilian winger also attempted to set up Mbappe in another dangerous move, but his pass was cut out by Girona’s alert backline.
At the other end, Viktor Tsygankov squandered a golden opportunity for the visitors, blasting his shot high over the bar after finding space in the box.
Modric’s Moment of Magic
With the game drifting towards halftime, Madrid needed a spark—and Modric delivered in spectacular fashion.
After a corner was cleared to the edge of the area, the veteran midfielder controlled the ball and unleashed a thunderous strike that flew past Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
The goal ignited the Bernabeu crowd and gave Ancelotti’s side a crucial advantage at a time when they were struggling to break down Girona’s stubborn defense.
Vinicius Seals the Win
Madrid came close to doubling their lead early in the second half, with Vinicius hitting the crossbar with a curling effort from just outside the box. The hosts continued to control the tempo but were unable to fully break away until the closing stages.
With Girona pushing forward in search of an equalizer, Madrid capitalized on the gaps in their defense. In the final moments, Vinicius finally found the net, slotting home from close range to put the result beyond doubt.
Title Race Heats Up
The victory keeps Real Madrid firmly in the hunt for the La Liga title, with Ancelotti’s men now tied on points with Barcelona at the summit.
Meanwhile, Girona, who have impressed throughout the season, remain competitive but will rue missed chances in a game where they failed to trouble Courtois after the early stages.
With the business end of the season approaching, Madrid’s experience and composure in key moments—exemplified by Modric’s brilliance—could prove decisive in their bid to retain the La Liga crown.