La Liga: Bellingham And Mbappe Strike as Real Madrid Beat Girona
Jude Bellingham inspired champions Real Madrid to a comfortable 3-0 victory at Girona on Saturday in LaLiga, with Kylian Mbappe also on the scoresheet. Los Blancos cut the gap on league leaders Barcelona to two points after the Catalans drew 2-2 at Real Betis, with Madrid having played one fewer match.
Bellingham opened the scoring before halftime and set up Arda Guler for Madrid’s second, before Mbappe produced a clinical finish for their third. Both Bellingham and defender Ferland Mendy were replaced with apparent knocks in the second half, adding to Madrid’s injury concerns ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash at Atalanta.
With Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo sidelined, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti selected Bellingham and Brahim Diaz in support of Mbappe. The French forward has faced criticism in recent weeks, struggling to find the form that made him a star with Paris Saint-Germain and his country.
Girona, who ran Madrid close for the Spanish title for much of last season before eventually finishing third, started stronger with Bryan Gil firing wide and Donny van de Beek lashing over. However, Madrid settled into the game, keeping the hosts at arm’s length and creating their own chances.
Bellingham broke the deadlock after 36 minutes when Diaz’s cross was blocked, and the ball fell kindly to him, allowing him to fire home through a crowd of players. Early in the second half, Mbappe broke through but fired wide after handling the ball.
Madrid continued to push, with Gazzaniga saving well from Aurelien Tchouameni’s header from Luka Modric’s free-kick. They doubled their lead in the 55th minute when Bellingham threaded a fine pass for Guler, who rolled the ball home.
Bellingham hobbled off after sustaining an apparent knock before Mbappe rattled home Madrid’s third. Following a save from Thibaut Courtois against Yaser Asprilla, Madrid counter-attacked, with Modric setting up Mbappe, who finished with aplomb from a tight angle.
Madrid’s victory at Montilivi followed a 3-0 and 4-0 win against Girona last season, further showcasing their superiority over the Catalan side. Ancelotti will hope for momentum heading into their vital Champions League visit to Atalanta, with Vinicius expected to return from injury. Girona, currently eighth in LaLiga, will welcome Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday.
