Real Madrid had to settle for a 1-1 draw against mid-table Girona in La Liga on Friday, extending the hosts’ winless run to three games in all competitions and giving leaders Barcelona the chance to stretch their advantage at the top.
Federico Valverde put Madrid ahead six minutes after half-time but Girona levelled in the 62nd minute through Thomas Lemar. Álvaro Arbeloa’s side are six points behind with league leaders Barça, who have a game in hand against Espanyol on Saturday and could move nine clear with seven games to play.
Madrid began the night under pressure, having lost 2-1 at Mallorca last weekend and then losing by the same scoreline at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Arbeloa still opted for a full-strength side for Friday’s game, despite the second leg of their quarter-final coming up next Wednesday.
Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior led the line at the Bernabéu, with Jude Bellingham in midfield as Real monopolised possession. Yet for all their territorial dominance, clear chances proved scarce in a poor first half short on tempo and inspiration.
Girona, who have climbed away from relegation danger to sit 12th in the league, were content to sit deep and spring forward when possible. They came closest before the break when Azzedine Ounahi unleashed a fierce effort from inside the box, forcing goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to produce a sharp reflex save.
The contest finally flickered into life after half-time and Valverde broke the deadlock in the 51st minute with a low strike from the edge of the area. It should have posed little threat to Paulo Gazzaniga, but the Girona keeper allowed the ball to squirm through his arms as he tried to smother it.
The hosts’ relief was short-lived, though. In the 62nd minute, Lemar surged in from the right and rifled a superb shot from the edge of the box. The winger, who is loan from Atlético Madrid – sent his effort just inside the right post beyond Lunin’s despairing dive to level the score.
Madrid pushed for a winner but lacked composure going forward as Girona held their shape with discipline to frustrate the crowd. Home fans again jeered their own players, with the sense that their team’s title hopes are quickly disappearing.
Marseille and Roma boost Champions League hopes
Marseille reclaimed third place in Ligue 1 with a 3-1 win over bottom side Metz, while Monaco suffered a shock 4-1 defeat away to Paris FC.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Marseille a first-half lead at the Vélodrome, and Igor Paixão latched onto Mason Greenwood’s pass to make it 2-0 early in the second half. Giorgi Tsitaishvili pulled one back for Metz, before substitute Hamed Junior Traorè wrapped up victory for the hosts in stoppage time.
Monaco’s 10-game unbeaten league run came to an abrupt end in the French capital, with Paris FC going 3-0 up after just 21 minutes. Jonathan Ikoné struck twice for the hosts, either side of a goal from veteran Italy striker Ciro Immobile.
The USA forward Folarin Balogun pulled one back before the break for Monaco, keeping up his record of scoring in each of his team’s last seven league games. Luca Koleosho put the result beyond doubt in the 71st minute, just after Paul Pogba had come on to a rapturous reception.
“It was heartwarming,” Pogba said of the crowd’s reaction as he made his first Monaco appearance since December. “I am just trying to get some minutes under my belt and get back to full fitness. It will come with time.”
Donyell Malen hit a hat-trick as Roma revived their fading Champions League hopes by cruising past Serie A’s bottom club Pisa 3-0 at home.
The Dutchman’s treble takes his total to 10 goals in 12 Serie A appearances since joining on loan from Aston Villa in January. Malen punished a defensive error to put Roma ahead inside three minutes, then tucked the ball home from close range for his second just before half time.
Malen completed his hat-trick after 51 minutes, finishing well from Matías Soulé’s through ball. Roma stay in sixth place but are level on points with Juventus in fifth, and a point behind Como in fourth, albeit with a game in hand.
In Germany, Augsburg took an early two-goal lead at home to Champions League hopefuls Hoffenheim. The visitors struck back to level before half-time through Robin Hranac and Bazoumana Toure, but could not find a winner as it ended 2-2.