Girona’s thrilling 4-3 win over Atletico keeps La Liga title race sizzling

In a breathtaking La Liga showdown, Girona pulled off an extraordinary 4-3 victory against Atletico Madrid, remaining neck and neck with league leaders Real Madrid. 

The Catalans' dramatic win, sealed by Ivan Martin's last-minute strike, puts them level with Carlo Ancelotti's side at the top of the table with 48 points from 19 matches.

Alvaro Morata's stunning hat-trick for Atletico wasn't enough to stave off Girona's determined challenge. Despite Morata's heroics, Martin's late goal sealed the fate of a thrilling match, leaving Atletico trailing both Girona and Real Madrid by 10 points in the league standings. Barcelona, in fourth place, faces an uphill battle as they lag behind with the same point difference.

The clash at Girona's Montilivi stadium was a rollercoaster ride of goals. Valery Fernandez, Savinho, and Daley Blind found the net for the hosts in a wild first half, with Morata responding twice for Atletico. The Spaniard completed his hat-trick in the second half, leveling the score, only for Martin to snatch victory in injury time.

Coach Michel expressed the historic significance of the win, acknowledging its importance for the city and the province. Girona's ascent in only their fourth top-flight season, after their 2022 promotion, adds to the fairytale of their league campaign.

Meanwhile, at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid endured a tough battle against Real Mallorca. The match saw a resilient Mallorca side hitting the woodwork twice before Antonio Rudiger's header from a corner secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Los Blancos.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his team's ability to capitalise on set pieces to secure crucial wins. Despite struggling to break Mallorca's resilience, the well-taken set piece proved decisive. Real Madrid's undefeated streak now extends to 18 matches across all competitions, showcasing their formidable form.

Ancelotti's tactics faced challenges with injuries and suspensions, but the return of Vinicius Junior from injury added depth to the squad. Vinicius made a quiet return to the field, with Brahim Diaz replacing him later in the game, hitting the post before Rudiger's late heroics sealed the win for Real Madrid.