Real Madrid Held Again as Barcelona Overtake Them at La Liga Summit

Real Madrid missed the chance to reclaim top spot in La Liga on Sunday after being held to a 1–1 draw by relegation-threatened Girona, extending their run to three consecutive league draws.

Azzedine Ounahi gave Girona the lead on the stroke of half-time at the Estadi Montilivi, before Kylian Mbappé equalised from the penalty spot in the 67th minute. The Frenchman, who scored four goals in the Champions League against Olympiakos in midweek, came close to winning it deep into stoppage time, but his right-footed effort from near the penalty spot flashed narrowly wide.

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso reflected positively on the response from his players despite the disappointment.
“I liked the way the team reacted, even if it wasn’t enough to secure the win,” he said. “We improved in the second half and could have turned it around, but we weren’t clinical enough with the chances we created.”

Madrid felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the 80th minute following a challenge on Rodrygo, but their appeals were dismissed.

Barcelona had moved above Madrid the previous day with a 3–1 victory over Alavés, and now lead by a single point after 14 matches. Girona, sitting 18th, have won just one of their last six league games.

Late Drama as Villarreal Edge Real Sociedad

Alberto Moleiro struck five minutes into stoppage time to secure a dramatic 3–2 victory for Villarreal away to Real Sociedad, extending the Yellow Submarine’s winning streak in the league to five matches.

Villarreal had raced into a 2–0 lead, only for Sociedad to draw level with goals in the 60th and 87th minutes. Moleiro then sealed the win with a precise shot from the edge of the area deep into added time.

The result leaves Villarreal one point behind Real Madrid and one ahead of fourth-placed Atlético Madrid, who defeated bottom side Oviedo 2–0 on Saturday. Sociedad remain ninth, having won three of their previous four matches.

Betis Claim Seville Derby Honours

Real Betis moved up to fifth after earning a 2–0 victory over Sevilla in a heated Seville derby. Second-half goals from Pablo Fornals and Sergi Altimira secured the points, condemning Sevilla to a fifth defeat in six league outings.

The match was disrupted for more than 15 minutes when objects were thrown onto the pitch from the home supporters’ section behind one of the goals, prompting players to temporarily retreat to the dressing rooms.

Espanyol Seal Late Win at Celta Vigo

In Sunday’s other fixture, Kike García struck an 86th-minute winner to give sixth-placed Espanyol a hard-fought 1–0 victory away to Celta Vigo, who remain 12th.