Girona came from behind to record a 2-1 win over Spanish champions Real Madrid in Sunday afternoon's historic La Liga clash in Catalonia.
In the wake of the Catalan government declaring independence, it had been claimed that the match could be postponed, but the fixture went ahead as planned.
Isco sent Real Madrid, who remain eight points behind league leaders Barcelona, ahead in the 12th minute, but second-half goals from Cristhian Stuani and Portu saw Girona beat Los Blancos in their first ever La Liga clash.
Read how it all unfolded in our live minute-by-minute coverage below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Estadio Montilivi as newly promoted Girona welcome Real Madrid. The visitors have to keep putting wins on the board as they attempt to stay in touch with league leaders Barcelona, and will fancy their chances of collecting all three points this afternoon. Stay tuned for live coverage of the action from Catalonia!
This is Girona's first season in the top flight of Spanish football, meaning that this afternoon will bring their first ever La Liga clash with Real Madrid. It is just over a month since Girona welcomed Catalan rivals Barcelona to this stadium, and it was the visitors that recorded a fairly routine 3-0 win. Can Girona pull off a major shock in this one? Only time will tell. It is a historic match for this club.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Catalonia. Both sides were in Copa del Rey action on Thursday – Real Madrid winning 2-0 at Fuenlabrada and Girona losing 2-0 at home to Levante. Have both managers recalled their big guns? Let's see...
TEAMS!
GIRONA: Bounou; Maffeo, Espinosa, Juanpe, Muniesa, Aday; Borja, Pons, Granell, Portu; Stuani
REAL: Casilla; Achraf, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo
Plenty of familiar names in the Girona XI this afternoon, with on-loan Manchester City defender Pablo Maffeo joined by on-loan Stoke City defender Marc Muniesa in the back four. Former Middlesbrough forward Cristhian Stuani will lead the line for the home side, but Douglas Luiz, who is also on loan from Man City and impressed against Barcelona earlier this season, starts on the bench.
As for Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane has made nine changes to the team that started against Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night. Kiko Casilla and Achraf Hakimi both keep their spots, but all the big guns are back as the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo return. Isco is preferred to Marco Asensio in the continued absence of Gareth Bale.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm afternoon in Catalonia. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. Los Blancos will enter this match in third spot in the table – eight points off league leaders Barcelona, who beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at San Mames on Saturday night.
Since suffering a shock 1-0 home defeat to Real Betis on September 20, Real Madrid have been in excellent form. The capital giants will enter this match having won six of their last seven in all competitions, with their only dropped points occurring at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League. That said, while the results have been good, performances have been under-par.
Last weekend brought a 3-0 win over Eibar at the Bernabeu, before their second string recorded a 2-0 victory at Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night. Real Madrid will fancy their chances of picking up another three points this afternoon, and they then have a massive game away to Tottenham in the Champions League next week. That promises to be a brilliant game.
It would be fair to say that Real Madrid have been superior on the road this season than they have been at the Bernabeu. Indeed, Zidane's team have won all seven of their away matches across four separate competitions during the 2017-18 campaign. That run includes victories over Deportivo La Coruna, Real Sociedad, Alaves and Getafe in the early stages of this La Liga season.
Atletico Madrid continue to tick on nicely in Spain's top flight, while Valencia have perhaps been the story of the season thus far. Los Che sit second in the table on 24 points after an unbeaten start to the campaign, and at the moment, they look ready to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid. Whether that challenge fades remains to be seen, but for the time being, Valencia are in the race.
As for Girona, the White and Reds ensured that they would play La Liga football for the first time in their history after finishing second in the Segunda Division last season. They actually lost 12 of their 42 league matches in the second tier, but 70 points proved enough to finish behind champions Levante.
A third-tier outfit as recent as 2008, Girona consistently finished in the bottom half of the Segunda between 2008 and 2012, before pushing for a spot in La Liga over the last couple of years. After two fourth-place finishes and third in 2014-15, Girona posted second last season to earn a spot in Spain's top flight.
Girona have won two, drawn three and lost four of their nine league matches this season, with a total of nine points leaving them in 15th position in the table. They recorded an impressive 3-1 win at Deportivo in La Liga last weekend, but suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Levante in the first leg of their last-32 Copa del Rey clash on Thursday night. Kickoff is just over five minutes away here!
A reminder of the two teams here...
GIRONA: Bounou; Maffeo, Espinosa, Juanpe, Muniesa, Aday; Borja, Pons, Granell, Portu; Stuani
REAL: Casilla; Achraf, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo
KICKOFF! Girona kick things off on home soil...
... as expected, Real Madrid have taken control of the possession in the early moments, with Marcelo and Ramos both seeing plenty of the ball. It must be said that it is a glorious afternoon in Catalonia - the sun is shining and the supporters are in good voice. Let's hope for a good game!
Isco is dropping very deep in these early moments in a bid to pick up the ball, and the Spaniard has already come close to releasing Ronaldo through the middle. Girona are doing their best to upset Real Madrid's passing rhythm in the early minutes, but the visitors are absolutely dominating the football.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of attacking football in the opening six minutes, with Girona doing a good job of forcing Real Madrid to go backwards. Aday actually wins the first corner of the match for the home side after breaking down the left, but Ramos is up to make the clearance.
Real Madrid are finding it difficult to break at the moment as Girona continue to put the pressure on. The home side want a penalty as Benzema appears to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Maffeo then pounces on Casemiro before winning a free kick in an advanced area.
CHANCE! Super chance for the home side as Pons delivers a terrific free kick into the Real Madrid box - Portu gets there first, but it bounces back off the striker and behind!
Not quite happening for Real Madrid at the moment as Girona continue to press the league champions. In all honestly, Real Madrid simply cannot afford not to win this football match.
GOAL! Girona 0-1 Real Madrid (Isco)
Oh my word! Girona just hit the post through Maffeo, and Real Madrid have gone down the other end and taken the lead! Bono could only push a Ronaldo effort into his own box, and Isco is on hand to finish from close range. That is tough on the home side, who started very well.
Girona need to be very careful that they do not concede a quick fire second here as Real Madrid continue to force the issue in the final third of the field. It is a vital period of the match.
Girona have managed to regain some sort of control, but they are in a dangerous position as Real Madrid continue to look for the counter-attack. Maffeo again drives down the right before delivering low, but Ramos clears his lines. The home side are looking extremely threatening here.
Casilla is sold short by Ramos as Girona put the pressure on once again, but the stopper just manages to clear ahead of Stuani. The home side really deserve a goal for their efforts here.
Half-chance for the home side as Borja Garcia makes use of a mistake from Hakimi before unleashing one from outside the Real Madrid box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Girona have been the better team thus far, but Isco's goal is the difference at the moment.
Ronaldo has one deflected wide of the post as Real Madrid enjoy a good spell here.
The crowd are on their feet once again as Garcia breaks into a wide position before delivering towards Stuani, but Casilla is on hand to claim. The home side have been really impressive here.
SAVE! Smart save from Bono to keep out a low effort from Ronaldo, who had met a cross from Benzema. Both Benzema and Ronaldo could really do with a goal this afternoon!
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Isco's goal is the difference between the two teams. Girona have had plenty of the ball in forward positions, but have been lacking that final pass in dangerous areas. You do get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital.
The referee has not produced a yellow card thus far, but there are some tasty challenges going in as we approach the 32nd minute. The home supporters are loving their team's commitment, but they surely want to see a bit more quality in the final third. Stuani just needs to settle down a touch.
Benzema fires over the crossbar after finding space inside the Girona penalty box.
Real Madrid are on the front foot at the moment as Ronaldo and Benzema continue to cause problems in the final third, but Girona clear their lines time after time. Ronaldo looks frustrated once again, and that will continue as long as he is not on the scoresheet in this match.
POST! Oh my word! Incredible moment! Girona think that they have levelled as Portu meets a stunning cross from Aday, but the striker's effort hits the inside of the post!
Girona are desperate unlucky to be behind in this match, and you do feel that they will be made to pay for these missed opportunities. Real Madrid are so fortunate to be 1-0 ahead at this stage.
Girona continue to force the issue with crosses into the Real Madrid box, and the home side win a free kick in a dangerous area as Isco handballs. The hosts cannot afford to waste this chance...
... OVER! Aday's powerful free kick flies over the Real Madrid crossbar.
Real Madrid have been very off-colour here, but they are still ahead, which is the sign of a good team. Girona will surely be made to pay for the number of chances they have missed here.
Smart defending from Varane as the Real Madrid centre-back comes across to challenge Pons, who had threatened to break into the away side's penalty box. Still 1-0 to Real Madrid here.
BOOKING! Modric (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Pons.
HALF-TIME: Girona 0-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Girona 1-0 courtesy of a close-range finish from Isco. The home side do not deserve to be behind, however, having hit the woodwork on two occasions, and created a number of positive moments. Real Madrid have been very off-colour thus far this afternoon, but they do lead 1-0 at the half-time break.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid shaded the first-half possession with 60%, while the visitors managed seven attempts to Girona's six. Just the one yellow card to report, and that came for Luka Modic moments before the half-time whistle. Girona have had two corners to Real Madrid's three here.
BENCH WATCH! Asensio, Ceballos, Theo Hernandez and Lucas Vazquez are all on the away side's bench this afternoon, and it would not be a surprise to see at least two of those in the second period. As for the Girona, head coach Machin has options in the shape of Garcia, Luiz and Kayode.
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action here...
... REAL MADRID SUB! Nacho has replaced Varane at the interval. It is understood that the Frenchman picked up a thigh problem in the latter stages of the first period.
Half-chance for the home side as Garcia finds space outside the Real Madrid box, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. Girona simply have to score the next goal in this match.
Not an awful lot from Real Madrid in the early stages of the second period, with Girona the team on the front foot. Isco's first-half strike, however, is still the difference between the two teams here.
CLOSE! Real Madrid come close to a second as Benzema bundles one towards goal, but a mixture of Bono and Aday just about manage to make the clearance. That is the danger!
Ronaldo and Benzema both really need a goal this afternoon. Both have had chances, but Isco is the only name on the scoresheet with 53 minutes on the clock. Girona need to be really careful that they do not commit too many players up the field each time that they break forward here.
The ball just about runs away from Ronaldo inside the Girona box, with Bono on hand to collect. Portu then races down the other end, but Casilla is out to make a vital clearance.
GOAL! Girona 1-1 Real Madrid (Stuani)
Girona level the scores in the 54th minute as Stuani dances into the Real Madrid box before finding the bottom corner with a super effort! Wonderful feet from the former Middlesbrough striker!
Real Madrid really cannot afford to drop points in this match due to Barcelona's form this season. Still more than 30 minutes of this game remaining, but Girona fancy scoring a second here.
GOAL! Girona 2-1 Real Madrid (Portu)
Oh my word! Girona take a 2-1 lead as Portu finishes a Maffeo strike from close range! There was a hint of offside about the goal, but the flag stayed down, and the home side now lead here!
Plenty of possession for Real Madrid at the moment, but Girona continue to clear their lines. Kroos hits one from distance, but his effort was always rising over the home side's crossbar here.
Girona are not exactly sitting back here as they continue to flood players forward. I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals with still at least 25 minutes of football to play here.
Benzema looks to slide a pass into Isco, but Juanpe is on hand to make the clearance, and Girona can move clear once again. Ronaldo continues to cut an extremely frustrated figure in the final third of the field. It does appear that Zidane is about to make a couple of changes here.
REAL MADRID SUBS! Vazquez and Asensio replace Hakimi and Marcelo here.
CHANCE! Stuani clips just wide of the far post as Girona threaten once again!
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining, and Girona continue to deal with the pressure from the visitors as Bono collects a cross from Asensio. Ronaldo and Benzema need to step forward here.
CHANCE! Super chance for Real Madrid as Ronaldo rises highest inside the Girona box, but his header is straight at Bono! It just has not happened for the Portuguese here.
Girona are preparing to make their first change of the match as we approach the final 15 minutes.
GIRONA SUB! Timor replaces Garcia in Girona's first change of the match.
You get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match, and it would not even be a surprise if Real Madrid managed to turn things around in the latter stages - it has happened before. Girona are not exactly sitting back here as they continue to commit players in the final third of the field.
It is basically Ramos and Nacho as a two-man defence for Real Madrid, with Kroos or Casemiro dropping back on the odd occasion. Real Madrid are all-out attack at this stage of the match.
Ronaldo goes down inside the Girona penalty box, but the referee is not interested. Portu then drives down the other end of the field as the home side manage to move clear once again.
GIRONA SUB! The excellent Portu is replaced by Kayode.
Little over five minutes of football remaining here, and the home side still lead 2-1. Vazquez has the ball in the back of the net for the away side, but the offside flag was raised very early!
Comfortable for Bono as the Girona goalkeeper keeps out a low strike from Asensio.
GIRONA SUB! Aday is replaced by Mojica in Girona's second change.
So, Aday has just come back onto the field. What on earth has happened there? Weird.
GIRONA SUB! Mojica finally comes on, and it is for Stuani!
Time is running out for the away side, but there should be a decent chunk of added time.
Super defending from Maffeo as the right-back comes across to win a free kick from Ronaldo, and we are already into the first of four additional minutes. Maffeo has been excellent this afternoon.
We are into the third of four additional minutes here, and Girona are about to beat Real Madrid in their first ever La Liga clash. There is still time for the away side to grab something late though.
Vazquez runs it behind and Girona have a goal kick!
BOOKING! Mojica (Girona) is booked for dissent.
FULL-TIME: Girona 2-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it! The referee brings the second period to a close with Girona recording a famous 2-1 win over Real Madrid. What a turn-up! Real Madrid stay eight points behind Barcelona in La Liga after losing their second league game of the season. Thanks for joining us once again. Until next time!
