Real Madrid extended their winless streak to three consecutive La Liga matches after a 1-1 draw against hosts Girona in the 14th round. Despite a penalty goal from Kylian Mbappe, the result meant Real failed to reclaim the top spot from rivals Barca.

This marks the first time Real Madrid have drawn three successive La Liga games since Zinedine Zidane's tenure in 12/2019. In the two rounds prior, the team had drawn 2-2 with Elche and 0-0 with Rayo.

The draw saw Real Madrid drop to second place in the La Liga standings with 33 points, one point behind Barca. Meanwhile, Barca secured a 3-1 comeback victory against Alaves, thanks to Lamine Yamal and a brace from Dani Olmo.

Jude Bellingham holds his face in regret after missing a chance during Real's 1-1 draw with Girona in La Liga's 14th round at Montilivi Stadium, Girona, Catalonia, Spain on 30/11. Photo: AP

At Montilivi Stadium on 30/11, Real Madrid largely dominated the game, maintaining 60% possession and attempting 24 shots with five on target, compared to Girona's 10 shots and four on target. However, their inability to convert numerous opportunities ultimately cost them two points. This season, only Betis, in their match against Levante, recorded more shots (28) without securing a win in La Liga.

Kylian Mbappe was Real Madrid's most prominent player, taking five shots throughout the match. The French forward first shot over the bar from a tight angle in the 11th minute. He then appeared to tap the ball into the hosts' net in the 40th minute, but the goal was disallowed after VAR determined Mbappe had handled the ball before his shot.

Four minutes after the VAR reprieve, Girona surprisingly took the lead. Following a quick one-touch passing sequence on the right wing, the ball was delivered into the penalty area for Azzedine Ounahi, who struck it first-time past Thibaut Courtois. The goal marked Courtois' return to action after missing the 4-3 win against Olympiakos due to an intestinal inflammation.

Kylian Mbappe scores a penalty. Photo: AP

In the second half, Real Madrid intensified their attack, pushing higher and creating more dangerous opportunities. In the 61st minute, Vinicius scored with a diagonal shot, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Less than five minutes later, the Brazilian forward Vinicius broke into the penalty area, where Hugo Rincon illegally tackled him, resulting in a penalty. From the 11-meter spot, Mbappe used a stutter-step run-up and struck powerfully into the left corner. Despite guessing the correct direction, Girona's goalkeeper could not make the save. Mbappe has now scored 7 penalties across all competitions this season, more than any other player in Europe's top five leagues.

Following the equalizer, Real Madrid squandered a series of clear-cut chances. Vinicius had two inaccurate right-footed curling shots, and the match concluded with Mbappe's close-range effort missing the target.

Coach Xabi Alonso reacts on the sideline. Photo: AP

After the match, coach Xabi Alonso expressed dissatisfaction with Real Madrid's lack of consistency. "There were times, especially early in the season, when the team played stably and very consistently", he analyzed. "But recently, the team has gone through some phases below expectations. Today, the second half was a typical example where the team played much better than the first half. We had three, four clear chances in the penalty area but couldn't convert them. To go far, we must maintain the high standards that Real Madrid demands".

Regarding being overtaken by Barca for the top spot, the Spanish coach stressed that the entire team must remain calm because the season is still long. He also called for Real Madrid to bounce back strongly for their next match against Bilbao on 3/12.

By Hong Duy