From http://www.soccergz.com

Catalan minnows Girona shocked giants Real Madrid on Sunday as they came from behind to claim a 2-1 win at the Estadi Montilivi.

All the talk pre-match was about whether the perilous political situation in Catalonia would in any way impact the game but as soon as the whistle went all that was forgotten as both sides served up an entertaining display of football at the Estadi Montilivi.

The home side started well and had a vociferous appeal for a penalty turned down when the ball appeared to strike Karim Benzema on the arm after just six minutes.

Not to be disheartened by the decision, Girona continued to press, forcing visiting goalkeeper Kiko Casilla to be alert at his near post following a clever free kick.

The hosts were inches away from taking a shock lead after 11 minutes when Manchester City loanee Pablo Maffeo, who famously kept Lionel Messi quiet in the Catalan derby earlier in the season, cut onto his left foot down the right and sent a curling effort towards the far corner, only to see it crash back into play off the post with Casilla beaten.

Just second later though, Girona were given a harsh lesson in football as Real countered with menace. Karim Benzema spun past his man on halfway before feeding Cristiano Ronaldo on the left, the Portuguese cut inside and shot at goal from the edge of the box and whilst Yassine Bounou in the home goal was equal to the shot, he could only palm the ball as far as Isco, who made no mistake from six yards to hand Girona the lead.

Despite the setback, Girona responded well, with Portu causing panic in the box after a good ball in from the right, before Cristhian Stuani almost capitalised on a loose back-pass from Sergio Ramos.

After a spell of pressure from the hosts, Real managed to wrestle back control with Ronaldo testing Bounou with a snapshot following Benzema’s pullback from the right, before the Portuguese returned the favour, slipping the France international in behind, only for him to fire harmlessly over the bar.

As quickly as Real regained control they lost it again, Girona once again went within inches of finding the net as Portu guided a fantastic header towards the far post after Aday Benitez’s cross from the left, only to see it bounce back off the woodwork with Casilla once again beaten.

Raphael Varane had to be alert to make a fantastic last-ditch challenge just before half-time as Portu looked to race away. That challenge maintained Real’s advantage at the break, but it also cost them Varane who had to be replaced for the second 45.

Real could have extended their lead just after half-time when Isco’s got to the byline down the left. Penalty box pinball ensued and the carnage ended with Benzema's flick being cleared off the line by Juanpe with more than a hint of handball.

That decision increased in importance just three minutes later as Girona drew level. Pons drove for goal from midfield and when his advance was stopped, the ball dropped to Cristhian Stuani who danced inside Nacho before firing home from 12 yards.

That led to raucous celebrations in the stands and the party was stoked up once again four minutes later as the hosts took a shock lead.

Stuani was involved again as his effort was palmed away by Casilla and Maffeo hammered the ball back towards goal, with Portu flicking home from all of a yard despite looking like he had come from an offside position.

It could have been three after 67 minutes when Stuani was put in but his effort drifted just wide of the far post after he lifted the ball over the onrushing Casilla.

Ronaldo wasted a chance to draw ‘Los Blancos’ level when he headed straight at Bounou after meeting a long ball from deep.

The visitors were throwing the kitchen sink at Girona at this point with Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez playing as auxiliary wing-backs, but they struggled to create anything of any real note as Girona maintained their discipline.

Bernardo Espinosa, Marc Muniesa and Juanpe headed away a barrage of crosses in the closing stages and when they were breached by substitute Lucas Vazquez, they were saved by the offside flag. Replays showed that the officials got this one spot on with the winger a good two yards offside when being played in by Isco.

Girona weathered the storm in the end to beat Real in the first ever league meeting between the sides. Real must now dust themselves down ahead of the trip to Wembley in the Champions League in midweek.

http://www.soccergz.com/girona-beat-madrid-as-they-make-history/

.

Stupid real madrid also lost to real betis...quite sure they spoilt many tickets

Lolz. N Ronaldo played o full squad. Lolz Barcelona all the way. Messi is the GOAT

Real Madrid are no longer playing a team game. Every player wants to be the star alone thereby reducing the cohesion of the team.
I think they will be back anyway ....
Not so late though.




Maybe it was also fixed to make the league unpredictable and ofcourse "CUT TICKETS"

Austindark:
Real Madrid are no longer playing a team game. Every player wants to be the star alone thereby reducing the cohesion of the team.
I think they will be back anyway ....
Not so late though.




Maybe it was also fixed to make the league unpredictable and ofcourse "CUT TICKETS"

Madrid fan spotted
Which kyn fixed match... U no watch match nii
Just spoil ticket 4 pesin