Kylian Mbappe ensured Real Madrid avoided defeat at Girona after converting a second-half penalty, although the draw ultimately denied Los Blancos the opportunity to reclaim the top spot in La Liga.
The French forward calmly slotted his effort beyond goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga in the 67th minute, restoring parity after Vinicius Jr was brought down in the area by Hugo Rincon. The goal added to Mbappe’s impressive season tally, marking his 23rd strike in 19 appearances across all competitions, following his four-goal performance in the Champions League fixture against Olympiacos earlier in the week.
Despite sitting third from bottom with just 12 points, Girona struck first when Azzedine Ounahi fired home shortly before the break. The hosts frustrated Madrid with tight marking and took advantage of the visiting side’s struggle to create clear chances.
Real Madrid remain second on the league table, trailing leaders Barcelona by a single point. Their improvement after half-time stood in sharp contrast to a subdued first 45 minutes that produced only one shot on target.
Mbappe believed he had given his team the lead earlier in the game when he forced the ball into the net amid a crowded box, but the effort was correctly disallowed for handball as he tried to control possession.
Real were made to pay for their inefficiency in the final third when Girona hit them on the break, eventually working the ball to Ounahi, who unleashed a first-time strike into the top corner from the edge of the area.
A tactical adjustment in the second period allowed Madrid to apply more pressure, particularly through fast combinations in central areas, while Vinicius Jr’s wide positioning forced the home side to constantly adjust defensively. The Brazilian later found the net from close range after a neat sequence of passes, but the goal was ruled out as he had wandered offside before the final delivery.
With the game slipping away, Mbappe stepped forward to convert the decisive penalty and prevent what would have been Madrid’s second league defeat of the season. The result, however, means Xabi Alonso’s men have now managed just one victory across their last five matches in all competitions.
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