Girona 4-2 Real Madrid: Valentin Castellanos scores four against Carlo Ancelotti's side in huge shock in La Liga
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Updated 27/04/2023 at 14:58 GMT
Remarkably, Girona managed to score four times against Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded Real Madrid side in what was a massive shock in their La Liga encounter on Tuesday evening. Valentin Castellanos netted all four as Girona produced a famous performance in front of their own fans at the Estadi Montilivi. The result represents a huge blow for Real Madrid in their domestic ambitions.
Valentin Castellanos of Girona FC celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's fourth goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Girona FC and Real Madrid CF at Montilivi Stadium
Image credit: Getty Images
Valentin Castellanos scored all four goals as Girona stunned Real Madrid 4-2 at the Estadi Montilivi in a wild result.
The visitors battered Girona in the opening stages, winning four corners and registering five shots on goal inside 10 minutes.
But the hosts took full advantage of their first foray into the Real half as left-back Miguel Gutierrez found Castellanos free inside the box, the striker heading home the opener.
Real went in search of an equaliser but looked lazy at the back once again as a hopeful hoof up front caught out Eder Militao on the bounce, with Castellanos racing on to the loose ball and slotting home his second.
A frustrated Real side had pulled one back before the break as Marcos Asensio picked out Vinicius Jr at the back post, the brilliant Brazilian heading past Paulo Gazzaniga from close range.
Real would have fancied their chances of a comeback at the break, but less than a minute into the second half, Castellanos completed a stunning hat-trick as Yan Cuoto's searching cross found the striker unmarked inside the box.
And the home crowd could hardly believe it as their number nine grabbed a fourth just after the hour mark, latching on to Rodrigo Riquelme's deflected effort from distance with a powerful header.
Real substitute Lucas Vasquez grabbed his side's second five minutes from time after some fine footwork from Vinicius, but it was little consolation for last year's La Liga champions who showed just why they're not in contention this season.
TALKING POINT - MAN CITY WATCHING
Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger will simply have to do better in two weeks against the likes of Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne.
Their Champions League semi-final first leg looms and, while Real always pull out the stops in Europe, they looked lazy and lacklustre at the back tonight.
Girona punished them four times and, while they are good, they are not Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's men will certainly fancy their chances.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - CASTELLANOS
Valentin Castellanos is the first player to score four goals against Real Madrid in the 21st century. The striker took every chance that came his way. Real face another striker a bit like that next week, and they'll have to do better than that.
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Girona's Brazilian defender Yan Couto (L) challenges Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior during the Spanish league football match between Girona FC and Real Madrid CF at the Montilivi stadium
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Girona: Gazzaniga 6, Gutierrez 7, Juanpe 7, Bueno 7, Martinez 7, Romeu 7, Riquelme 6, Martin 6, Tsygankov 7, Couto 7, Castellanos 10. Subs. Stuani 5, Valery 4, Hernandez 5, Reinier 6, Artero 4.
Real Madrid: Lunin 4, Carvajal 4, Militao 4, Rudiger 3, Fernandez 4, Kroos 5, Modric 6, Valverde 6, Rodrygo 6, Asensio 7, Vinicius 8. Subs. Camavinga 5, Tchouameni 6, Diaz 6, Lucas 6.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
GOAL! GIRONA 1 REAL MADRID 0 (Castellanos, 12'). Unbelievable. It's been all Real, 100% Real, but Girona get up the other end for the first time... Gutierrez lofts a beauty into the box and Castellanos is there - completely unmarked - to head into the empty net. Girona lead!
GOAL! GIRONA 2 REAL MADRID 0 (Castellanos, 24'). What did I say? It's so easy for Girona. A big hoof over the top is completely misjudged by Militao and Castellanos is through on goal. The centre-back can't catch, and he rifles through Lunin for his second of the game. Girona, somehow, lead by two!
GOAL! GIRONA 2 REAL MADRID 1 (Vinicius, 34'). Real pull one back! It was only ever going to be Vinicius, who is a magical player. Asensio picks the Brazilian out at the back post and he heads home! We pause briefly for a little VAR, but it's all good! GAME ON!
GOAL! GIRONA 3 REAL MADRID 1 (Castellanos, 46'). What is going on? Castellanos has a hat-trick!!! Straight from kick-off, Cuoto's searching ball in from wide evades Rudiger and Castellano is on hand to strike home. Again, completely unmarked. So lazy from Real, so good from Girona!
GOAL! GIRONA 4 REAL MADRID 1 (Castellanos, 62'). HE'S GOT ANOTHER! Incredible! Riquelme goes for goal from distance, but his shot loops up off the boot of Kroos and lands perfectly for Castellanos on the edge of the six-yard box! I can't believe this.
GOAL! GIRONA 4 REAL MADRID 2 (Lucas, 85'). A consolation for the visitors? Or the start of a huge comeback? Vinicius weaves his way into the box before pulling back for substitute Lucas who strikes into an empty net. He barely celebrates.
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