Real Madrid vs. Girona 3-0

 Real Madrid outclassed Girona 3-0 on Saturday to return to the top of the LaLiga standings, thanks to goals from Joselu, Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham.

Madrid moved on to 21 points from eight games, one ahead of Barcelona, who beat Sevilla 1-0 at home on Friday. Girona dropped to third.

The team played well, a solid, convincing game, we defended well," Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said in his post-match news conference. "Girona play good football. We hurt them when we could, and we controlled the defensive phase. Solidity is the most important thing in these games."

"We focused on the defence. They're a team that attacks well. We kept it tight and the defence played well, with the help of the midfield.

"It's still early but after the defeat in the derby we've reacted well, we're happy."

Girona made a strong start and could have scored twice in the first five minutes, as Yangel Herrera directed a header over the bar from close range before Viktor Tsyhankov headed an effort onto the post.

After the break, Madrid's first chance was not long in coming. Theo tried his luck with a powerful shot from a set-piece from the edge of the area that Rubén Gálvez deflected wide with great difficulty. Just past the hour mark, the opposition goalkeeper, one of the main protagonists, once again saved his team getting the better of Víctor Muñoz in a one-on-one. Shortly afterwards, Gálvez prevented Mario Martín's shot from the edge of the area from hitting its mark (71'). Castilla's persistence paid off in the 87th minute when Tobías crossed into the area and Álvaro Rodriguez capitalised to make it 2-1. Despite their final efforts, the reserve team were unable to score their second goal and suffered their first home defeat of the season.

Girona worked their way back into the contest after the break, forcing an athletic stop from Kepa Arrizabalaga, before missing a duo of chances from corners. Madrid should have put the game away at the other end, but Bellingham fluffed his lines under pressure.

He made no mistake at the second time of asking, though, latching onto a rebound and finding the bottom corner to seal yet another win in his burgeoning Madrid career. The match ended in controversy, meanwhile, as Madrid captain Nacho was sent off for a horrendous challenge in stoppage-time.

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Sarah H

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