Real Madrid’s draw means Barcelona can move nine points clear at the top of La Liga if they beat Espanyol on Saturday.
Published April 10, 2026
Real Madrid had to settle for a 1-1 draw with mid-table Girona in LaLiga, extending their winless record in all competitions to three games and giving leaders Barcelona a chance to extend their advantage at the top of the table.
Real took the lead with Federico Valverde’s goal six minutes after half-time on Friday, but Girona equalized with Tomas Lemar’s goal in the 62nd minute.
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Barca has 76 points, six behind second-place Real, who has played one more game. The Catalan team visits Espanyol on Saturday and can clear nine games with seven games remaining.
Real started the night under pressure after last weekend’s loss to Mallorca, leaving them seven points behind Barça.
Despite the upcoming Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich next Wednesday, manager Alvaro Arbeloa has selected an all-out squad. In that match, the team will have to overturn the 2-1 deficit they suffered at the Santiago Bernabéu.
With Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior leading the line and Jude Bellingham in midfield, Real dominated possession. However, despite their territorial advantage, there were few clear-cut chances in a tepid first half that lacked tempo and inspiration.
Girona was content to sit deep and dart forward if possible. Azzedine Ounahi came closest to goal before the break with a fierce shot from inside the box, but goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made a sharp reflex save.
The contest finally came to life after halftime.
In the 51st minute, Valverde broke the deadlock with a low shot from the edge of the area that should have posed little threat, but allowed the ball to slip through Girona’s keeper Paulo Gazzaniga’s arms as he dropped to contain it.
However, Real’s sense of relief did not last long.
In the 62nd minute, Lemar darted in from the right and fired a superb shot from the edge of the box that sailed just inside the right-hand post beyond a desperate dive by Lunin and leveled the score.
Real pressed on in search of victory, but the sense of urgency turned to anxiety. The attack was hurried, the passing was hurried, and there was a lack of composure.
Girona maintained their form with discipline to the frustration of a crowd who booed the players as their team’s La Liga hopes seemed to disappear before their eyes.
When the final whistle rang, there were voices of anxiety around the Bernabéu. With Real’s slump, the title race is increasingly tilting towards former rivals Barça.
