In a thrilling turn of events on Thursday, Real Madrid clinched a crucial 1-0 victory against Alaves, securing the top spot in La Liga. Lucas Vazquez emerged as the hero, heading home a 92nd-minute winner to propel his team above Girona on the league table.
The match was not short on drama, with Madrid’s resilience tested from the early stages. Alaves proved to be a formidable opponent, frustrating the Spanish giants even before Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez received a red card 10 minutes into the second half. Despite being down to 10 men, Zinedine Zidane’s side pressed on, determined to secure the three points needed to claim the league’s summit.
Girona, the season’s surprise package, faced their own challenges earlier in the day as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Real Betis. The match seemed poised to end in a draw, allowing Girona to maintain their lead in La Liga. However, fate had other plans.
About The Match:
As the clock ticked into second-half injury time, veteran midfielder Toni Kroos delivered a precision corner, and Lucas Vazquez rose to the occasion with a powerful header – marking his first goal of the season. This late-game heroics propelled Real Madrid to the top of the table on goal difference, setting the stage for an exciting title race as La Liga heads into a brief break until January 2, 2024.
Meanwhile, in Seville, Girona’s hopes for a fourth straight win were dashed by a determined Real Betis side. Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk’s first-half penalty, his 11th goal of the season, initially seemed to secure the win for Girona. However, World Cup-winning defender German Pezzella had other plans, leveling the score with a late goal just two minutes before the final whistle.
The draw extended Betis’ unbeaten run to an impressive 13 games, with nine of those matches ending in draws. The result adds further intrigue to the La Liga title race, showcasing the competitive nature of the league and setting the stage for a thrilling second half of the season.
As the football world eagerly awaits the resumption of La Liga action in January, Real Madrid fans celebrate their team’s resilience and late-game heroics, while Girona looks to bounce back from a challenging draw and maintain their surprising run in the title race.