Both sides scored penalties as Girona slipped to a 4-2 loss at Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final on Thursday.
Match Report
Sergio Ramos scored twice as Real Madrid earned a 4-2 lead in a pulsating first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final at home to Girona.
Anthony Lozano gave Girona an early lead at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday, but Madrid battled back thanks to Lucas Vazquez's equaliser and a Ramos penalty.
Another spot-kick saw Girona equalise, Alex Granell stepping up to convert after Marcos Llorente needlessly handled the ball in the box, but Ramos and Karim Benzema struck late.
Match Events
7'GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Girona (Lozano)
Who saw that coming?! Raul Garcia escapes down the left and curls in a fine cross that Lozano neatly tucks away. Girona lead 1-0!
18'GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Girona (Vazquez)
Well that didn't take long after all! Odriozola is played in behind and keeps his composure to cut the ball back for Vazquez, who makes no mistake with a simple close-range finish. Girona's lead is erased in little more than 10 minutes and it's 1-1.
42'Penalty Goal! Real Madrid 2-1 Girona (Ramos)
Gloriously cheeky and just so stereotypically Ramos! The captain puts his team ahead with a Panenka penalty following Lozano's foul on the influential Vinicius. Madrid lead 2-1 just before half-time.
66'Penalty Goal! Real Madrid 2-2 Girona (Granell)
Girona have a precious equaliser entirely against the run of play! It's all thanks to Llorente's strange decision to stick his hand up in the air, seemingly unnerved by an impending collision. Granell punishes him with an expert spot-kick and it's back to 2-2.
77'GOAL! Real Madrid 3-2 Girona (Ramos)
The captain delivers again! Ramos completes his brace and restores Madrid's advantage, staying forward following a free-kick in order to power in a header from Marcelo's cute left-sided cross. It's 3-2 and they'll want more!
80'GOAL! Real Madrid 4-2 Girona (Benzema)
And just like that it's 4-2! Vinicius, perhaps the best player on the pitch, strides onto Isco's pass and slides the ball across the face for a Benzema tap-in at the back post. Madrid have established a two-goal buffer for the first time.
Line-ups
Real Madrid XI: Sergio Ramos, L. Modrić, Benzema, Marcelo, T. Courtois, Casemiro, Nacho, Lucas Vázquez, Álvaro Odriozola, Ceballos, Vinícius Júnior
Subs: T. Kroos, Isco, R. Varane, Marcos Llorente, Reguilón, Luca Zidane, B.Diaz
Girona XI: Iraizoz, S. Doumbia, Ramalho, B.García, Alcalá, Muniesa, A. Lozano, Juanpe, R.García, Granell, D. Luiz
Subs: C. Stuani, Espinosa, Y. Bounou, Portu, P.Pons, Paik Seung-Ho, Valery
CraigJack
341
This was a tough game but happy to see Real win it and convincingly. Real dominated the match bt had frailties in the back that gave away the two goals. Marcelo's cross that gave Ramos the header is what we haf been missing from him for a while now. Also the attacking flair is stepping up; confidence is installing bit by bit. Happy to see my Real impose their game n score many goals in such an important match. We just need to solidify a little more our defense all will be fine. This is the Real we need for the eliminatory phase of UCL.
halibee
313
A heartfelt congratulations to Madrid. All the best in your next match. I can see Madrid getting back to thier form and picking those boots back. Congrats. #hala Madrid.
EmiiNiMonsta
268
Ramos has more goals than Morata, Giroud and Higuan combined.
chekwasi
247
solari is lucky he has somebody like Sergio Ramos in his squad if not curtious would have showed him why Real Madrid should not trust any goal keeper who has once played for Athletico Madrid in their squad.
CalebAleb
205
OFFICIAL: Sergio Ramos handed the no 9 jersey and is set to take over the Real Madrid striker role with effect from next game😅😅
Nesaiknruy_Legend
198
You know Madrid have a striker problem when the centre back has to score a brace lol. Madrid need a world class forward and a proper manager, not these unknown frauds. Someone with a personality and good tactics like Zidane who helped these guys with formation at the back and discipline when defending which clearly these other coaches struggle with since conceding has been Madrids downfall this season...
RealMd13
182
😂😂♥️ I think we need to start searching for a new Center back and let SR4 become our No.9
Ali_LB
179
Amazing game! Haven't seen Real Madrid playing like this for a long time. And Ramos now has the second highest number of goals scored this season in the team😂😍
Laxmikar
173
When Ramos and Vasquez Celebrate tonight i remember Marcelo and Ronaldo, the way they celebrate... When Ramos scores his Second goal, he celebrates like Ronaldo...
Nigeria3960373
145
This is the challenge that cr7 ran away from, last season Zidane almost got kicked out of Real even at the middle of the season when things were not going well and cr7 as at that time could not find his form when he only manage to score 4 goals in half a season. So this and other things made Real to sell cr7. UCL Was the saving grace for cr7 last season he would have ended the season in total frustration. So the present challenges of Real Maldrid started even when cr7 and Zidane were there. I don't believe cr7 left Real for juve to find new challenge because the exit of Zidane is enough challenge already and he left Real for a winning juve taking the easy way out.
TonyV25
97
This boy is something really special Man of the match IMO...