Girona claimed a stunning 2-1 victory over Real Madrid to deal a major blow to the LaLiga champions’ hopes of retaining their title.
This was no smash-and-grab raid for the Catalan minnows, with Girona twice hitting the post in the first half and unlucky to be behind to an Isco breakaway goal.
They turned the tables with two goals in four minutes early in the second half from Cristhian Stuani and Portu and withstood the inevitable Real salvo with relative comfort.
TWEET OF THE MATCH
“#HISTOR1A”
#HISTÒR1A@pablomachindiez ⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/ny66HpdJI2
— Girona FC (@GironaFC) October 29, 2017
Girona tweeted scenes from a disbelieving dressing room after their remarkable victory.
STAR MAN – PORTU
Cristiano Ronaldo may officially be the best player in the world but he was upstaged here by Girona striker Portu. The hosts’ front three were all excellent but it was Portu who proved the biggest thorn in Real’s side. After hitting the post with a superb header in the first half, he flicked in the winner and almost set up Stuani for a third.
Lots will be made of Girona’s MCFC links, understandably, but amazing to see Portu, Pere Pons and Alex Granell – all local boys – play a major role in beating Real Madrid.
— Andy West (@andywest01) October 29, 2017
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
If Girona’s equaliser was not a total surprise, to see the minnows take the lead only four minutes later was remarkable.
Stuani forced a save from Kiko Casilla as Girona broke and, when the ball fell to Pablo Maffeo, he fired in a cross-shot that was met with a deft back-flick by Portu. Real will point out the striker was marginally offside, but it was a truly magic moment for Girona.
CATALAN PRIDE
This would have been a stunning result whatever the political climate but coming amid the continuing ramifications from the Catalan independence vote undoubtedly gives it extra significance.
Barcelona beating their arch rivals is one thing but for Girona to pull off this result would have been more than Catalonia dared dream.
RATING
Girona
Bono 5 (out of 10)
Juanpe 7
Marc Muniesa 7
Bernardo 7
Aday 8
Pablo Maffeo 8
Pere Pons 8
Alex Granell 7
Borja Garcia 7
Portu 9
Cristhian Stuani 8
Substitutes
David Timor (for Garcia, 75) 6
Olarenwaju Kayode (for Portu, 82) 5
Johan Mojica (for Stuani, 88) 5
Girona players put in a heroic effort to stun the champions.
Real Madrid
Kiko Casilla 5
Sergio Ramos 5
Raphael Varane 5
Marcelo 5
Achraf Hakimi 5
Karim Benzema 5
Casemiro 5
Isco 7
Luka Modric 5
Toni Kroos 5
Cristiano Ronaldo 6
Substitutes
Nacho (for Varane, 46) 5
Marco Asensio (for Achraf, 66) 5
Lucas Vazquez (for Marcelo 66) 6
It was a frustrating afternoon for Ronaldo.
WHO’S UP NEXT?
Tottenham v Real Madrid (Champions League, November 1)
Levante v Girona (LaLiga, November 5)
