Girona’s Castellanos scores four against Real Madrid to aid Barcelona’s title tilt
Girona’s Taty Castellanos became the first player to score four in a La Liga game against Real Madrid this century as they secured a stunning 4-2 win over Carlo Ancelotti’s side, whose faint title hopes were dealt another blow on Tuesday.
With seven games to play, secondplaced Real Madrid are now 11 behind Barcelona, who will face 10th-placed Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
Girona stunned Real with their first goal 12 minutes into the match as an unmarked Castellanos headed in from close range following a cross from Miguel Gutiérrez.
Girona doubled their lead 12 minutes later when Castellanos latched on to a long ball, worked his way into the box and fired low beneath Real keeper Andriy Lunin.
Real’s Vinícius Júnior, reduced the deficit in the 34th minute when he was left unmarked at the far post to head in Marco Asensio’s cross.
Castellanos scored his third goal 36 seconds into the second half, sweeping home a right-footed half-volley after Real’s defence gave him space in the box.
The 24-year-old was left alone inside the box again and headed in his fourth goal of the evening, and his 11th in La Liga this season, in the 62nd minute, before being substituted 10 minutes later.
Real’s Lucas Vázquez scored a consolation goal from close range in the 85th minute.
Osasuna remain eighth after Rubén García gave them a 1-0 win at struggling Cádiz, with the visitors holding on to secure all three points despite the late dismissal of substitute Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.
Real Betis were unable to make up ground on fourth-placed Real Sociedad and remain six points adrift of the Champions League positions after a goalless draw between the teams.