Real Madrid's lead at the top of La Liga has been cut to a single point after a 1-1 draw against Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid returned to the top of the table in La Liga on Sunday but the defending champions' lead has been cut to just a point after a disappointing 1-1 draw with struggling Girona.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the opening first half which ended goalless. Rodrygo put an effort on the post and Yangel Herrera was denied a stunner by the crossbar after beating Thibaut Courtois.
Los Blancos looked set for a routine win when Vinicius Junior put the hosts in front from close range after the break, but Girona hit back from the penalty spot through Cristhian Stuani.
A frantic end to the match brought a red card for Toni Kroos, a goal disallowed for Rodrygo and a final whistle that will have been celebrated back in Barcelona.
GettyWINNER: Cristhian Stuani
Real Madrid looked to be heading for all three points when Vinicius Jr stole in and poked Los Blancos ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu but Cristhian Stuani ensured Girona took home a precious point.
The visitors were awarded a penalty after substitute Marco Asensio handled in the penalty area and there was a sense of inevitability when Stuani stepped up to take the kick.
Stuani had scored three goals on his last two visits to the Bernabeu and made no mistake from the spot, sending Thibaut Courtois the wrong way to make it 1-1.
No player has now scored more goals away from home against Real Madrid in La Liga than Stuani, and the goal also secured a draw and a precious point for the struggling Catalans.
AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio was once again on the bench for Real Madrid but was offered the chance to impress after replacing Eduardo Camavinga just after the hour mark.
The forward did have a chance to make it 2-0, and potentially end the game as a contest, but saw a powerful effort saved by goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
Things then got even worse for the substitute when he was penalised for handball inside the penalty area, handing the visitors the perfect chance to equalise which they did not pass up.
GettyWINNER: Fede Valverde
There were few Real Madrid players who really impressed against Girona but Fede Valverde continues to be the pick of the bunch.
Valverde has scored some sensational goals in recent weeks and was involved in all of Real Madrid's best moments against Girona.
There was no goal for the Uruguay international this time around but he did supply the superb cross from which Vinicius Junior opened the scoring.
Valverde has now been involved in 10 goals for Los Blancos already this season, more than in his last two seasons combined.
GettyLOSER: Rodrygo
Rodrygo headed into the game against Girona in good form with eight goals in nine games in La Liga and would surely have fancied his chances of adding to his tally.
The Brazilian would also have known that Girona were arriving without having managed a clean sheet all season in La Liga.
Rodrygo could, and probably should, have opened the scoring in the first half but was denied when his low shot hit the post.
A frustrating game for the youngster brought few chances but he did manage to bundle the ball into the back of the net late on which he thought, just for a second, was the winner for Real Madrid.
Unfortunately for Rodrygo, the goal was ruled out after a VAR check as Gazzaniga had been deemed to have had the ball under control before the Brazilian nicked it away.