Girona (left) found an equaliser after the hour mark, earning a point at Real Madrid’s home, the Santiago Bernabeu, in La Liga on Friday. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Real Madrid had to settle for a 1-1 draw against mid-table Girona in La Liga on ​Friday, extending the host’s winless run to three games in all competitions and ‌giving leader Barcelona a chance to stretch its advantage ​at the top.

Federico Valverde put Real ahead six minutes ⁠after half-time, but Girona levelled in the 62nd minute through Thomas Lemar.

Barca has 76 points, six ahead of second-placed Real, which has now played a ‌game more. The Catalan side visits Espanyol on Saturday and can move nine clear with seven matches left.

Real began ‌the night under pressure, having slipped to a loss at ‌Mallorca ⁠last weekend to trail Barca by seven points.

Coach Alvaro Arbeloa ⁠opted for a full-strength side despite Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Bayern Munich, looming next Wednesday, in which his side must overturn a 2-1 ​deficit suffered at the Santiago ‌Bernabeu.

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr led the line, with Jude Bellingham in midfield, as Real monopolised possession. Yet, for all its territorial dominance, clear chances proved scarce in a tepid first half ‌short on tempo and inspiration.

Girona was content to sit deep ​and spring forward when possible. It came closest before the break when Azzedine Ounahi unleashed a fierce effort ⁠from inside the box, only for goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to produce a sharp reflex save.

The contest finally flickered into life after half-time.

Valverde broke ‌the deadlock in the 51st minute with a low strike from the edge of the area that should have posed little threat, but Girona ‘keeper Paulo Gazzaniga allowed the ball to squirm through his arms as he dropped to try to smother it.

Real’s relief was short-lived.

In the 62nd minute, Lemar surged in from the right ‌and rifled a superb shot from the edge of the box that flew ​just inside the right post beyond Lunin’s despairing dive to level the score.

Real pushed for a winner, but urgency ⁠curdled into anxiety. Attacks were hurried, passes rushed, and composure lacked.

Girona held ⁠its shape with discipline to frustrate the crowd, who booed the players with the sensation that their team’s La Liga hopes ‌are dissipating before their eyes.

The final whistle was greeted with unease around the Bernabeu, as Real’s stuttering form left the title ​race tilting ever more firmly towards its old rival Barca.

Published on Apr 11, 2026