By Tommy Lund
Girona: Valentin Castellanos became the first player in 75 years to score four in a La Liga game against Real Madrid as Girona secured a stunning 4-2 win over Carlo Ancelotti’s side whose faint title hopes were dealt another blow on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST).
With seven games to play, second-placed Real’s title chances are in tatters as they sit on 65 points, 11 adrift of Barcelona, who can extend their lead when they face 10th-placed Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
Castellanos proved a one-man wrecking ball, netting twice early in each half, with Real’s Vinicius jnr making it 2-1 and Lucas Vazquez grabbing a late consolation.
The last time someone netted four goals or more against Real in a La Liga game was in December 1947, when Esteban Echavarria scored five for Real Oviedo.
Girona, who are ninth in La Liga with 41 points, have proved troublesome opponents for Real this season, with the reverse fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu ending 1-1 in October.
On Tuesday, they outclassed their visitors, exploiting an ill-disciplined Real defence.
Valentin Castellanos celebrates the second of his four goals for Girona.Credit: Getty
The hosts stunned Real with their first goal 12 minutes into the match as an unmarked Castellanos headed in from close range following a cross from Miguel Gutierrez.
Girona doubled their lead 12 minutes later when Castellanos latched on to a long ball, worked his way into the box and fired low beneath Real keeper Andriy Lunin.
Vinicius reduced the deficit in the 34th minute when he was left unmarked at the far post to head in Marco Asensio’s cross.
Castellanos, however, scored his third goal 36 seconds into the second half, sweeping home a right-footed half-volley after Real’s defence gave him space in the box.
Real Madrid are 11 points adrift of Barcelona in La Liga having played one more game.Credit: Getty
The 24-year-old Argentine, who is yet to make an appearance for the senior national team, was left alone inside the box again and headed in his fourth goal of the evening —and his 11th in La Liga this season — in the 62nd minute. He was substituted 10 minutes later.
Real’s Vazquez scored from close range in the 85th minute.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Jamie Vardy came off the bench to equalise for Leicester in a 1-1 draw against relegation rivals Leeds, while Aston Villa moved to fifth with a 1-0 win over Fulham and Wolves beat Crystal Palace 2-0.
Veteran striker Vardy had been on the field for only 10 minutes at Elland Road when he fired the ball past Illan Meslier in the 80th for his first league goal since October.
Leeds had taken the lead through Luis Sinisterra’s header in the 20th but had to settle for a point after extending its winless run to four games.
The result means the Yorkshire club remains in 16th place, a point above 17th-placed Leicester.
While Vardy’s goal was reward for Leicester’s second-half pressure, Patrick Bamford wasted a golden chance to snatch victory for Leeds in the final minute as he missed from a meter out at the back post.
Leeds went in front when Jack Harrison tricked his way into space on the right and crossed to the far post for Sinisterra to score his fifth league goal of the season with a downward header before limping off in the 32nd.
Meslier twice denied Kelechi Iheanacho in the second half as Leicester pushed for an equaliser.
Burnley players celebrate winning the Championship title.Credit: Getty
The visitors’ pressure paid off in the 80th when James Maddison slipped a pass to Vardy, who fired into the bottom corner.
At the other end of the promotion spectrum, Burnley clinched the Championship title with a 1-0 victory at local rivals Blackburn Rovers.
Manuel Benson’s 66th-minute effort sealed the points for a Burnley side who had already secured their return to the Premier League.
With two games remaining they have 95 points, 13 ahead of Sheffield United who can wrap up promotion on Wednesday.
Reuters
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