Real Madrid narrow gap to Barcelona in LaLiga

Real Madrid closed the gap on LaLiga leaders Barcelona to just two points with a dominant 3-0 victory over Girona on Saturday. Goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, and Kylian Mbappé secured the win.

Real, in second place, now have 36 points and a game in hand over Barcelona, who drew 2-2 against Real Betis. Girona, with their sixth defeat in 16 league matches, remain in eighth position with 22 points, two short of the European qualification spots.

Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute, pouncing on a loose ball to score from the centre of the box. He later provided a precise through ball for Güler, who doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half.

Bellingham, who has now scored in five consecutive LaLiga matches, delivered an exceptional performance but was forced off after taking a knock. Shortly after, Mbappé sealed the result with a tight-angled shot in the 62nd minute.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti reassured reporters that Bellingham was fit but confirmed that full-back Ferland Mendy suffered a muscle injury ahead of their Champions League fixture against Atalanta on Tuesday.

“(Bellingham) is fine; he’s available. Mendy’s injury is muscular, but the rest are just minor knocks,” said Ancelotti.

Girona, plagued by injuries to key players, face a challenging week with a Champions League match against Liverpool at home on Tuesday and a LaLiga fixture away at Mallorca next Saturday.

“We’ve had many injuries, and it’s becoming more difficult for us. However, there are still months ahead to improve,” Girona defender Miguel Gutiérrez told Movistar. “We need to keep pushing. The game against Liverpool is crucial for progressing in the Champions League, and Mallorca is another important test.”

In the Champions League standings, Girona sit 30th, three points behind Real Madrid, who are 24th and hold the last qualifying spot for the playoffs.