REPORT. 30/10/2022. Rodrigo Salamanca. Photographer: Helios de la Rubia, Antonio Villalba and María Jiménez
Vini Jr. opened the scoring in the 70′, but Girona equalized with a controversial penalty conceded by VAR and Melero López, who also canceled out a goal for Rodrygo.
Real Madrid conceded the draw against Girona at the Santiago Bernabéu on La Liga Matchday 12. Vini Jr. opened the scoring for the leader (70′), before the Catalan team equalized ten minutes later following a controversial penalty conceded after a handball by Asensio by referee Melero López on call from the VAR . Rodrygo scored the 2-1 goal before added time, a goal ultimately disallowed by the referee for a foul by the Brazilian.
Before that, the first act ended scoreless despite chances for both teams. From the second minute of play, Real can thus take the lead on a deflected shot from Modrić following a good combination with Carvajal. Girona’s reply comes on the next action, with a forced strike from Castellanos. Real then tries with two distant attempts, one from the left of Camavinga, the other on a shot too removed from Rodrygo.
Opportunities madridistas
At a furious pace, Girona is also dangerous, like a deflected header from Valery. To which the leader responds with an adjusted curl from Camavinga who comes to flirt with the right post of Gazzaniga (22 ‘). Ancelotti’s men continued to insist: on a fine collective movement, Valverde found Rodrygo behind, whose shot ended his race on the post (23’). Before returning to the locker room, the visitors respond with a powerful strike from Yangel Herrera on the bar.
The deserved reward comes at the 70′ minute. On a superb combination in the area between Rodrygo, Carvajal and Valverde, the Uruguayan gets rid of his opposite and crosses in front of goal for Vini Jr., who catapults the ball into the back of the net. Moments later, the leader could even double the bet, but Gazzaniga made a saving save on a half-volley from Asensio (72′).
A controversial ending
But the joy is short-lived for Real. Following a corner and even after the consequent block, the VAR warns the referee of a possible hand from Asensio (77 ‘). Although the images show that the ball first hits the belly of the madridista, Melero López indicates the penalty spot, from where Stuani takes care of equalizing. Our team lets go of its last strength in the battle and thinks of regaining the advantage at 89′. After a high recovery, Mariano serves Rodrygo, who deceives Gazzaniga’s vigilance by stealing the ball from him on the goal line. Melero López canceled this goal for a foul by the striker on the goalkeeper. Finally, in added time, Ancelotti’s men find themselves outnumbered for a second yellow card from Kroos. Despite this sharing of points, Real remain top of La Liga.
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