Real Madrid came from behind to record a 4-1 win over Girona in Sunday night's entertaining La Liga clash in Catalonia.
Borja Garcia had sent Girona ahead in the 16th minute of the contest, but penalties from Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema, and a Gareth Bale strike saw Los Blancos take a 3-1 lead with 30 minutes to play.
Benzema then scored his second of the match late on as Los Blancos made it back-to-back La Liga victories under the leadership of new head coach Julen Lopetegui.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio Montilivi in Catolonia as Girona welcome Real Madrid. Girona opened their 2018-19 campaign with a goalless draw against Real Valladolid last time out, while Real Madrid were 2-0 winners over Getafe at the Bernabeu. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates of tonight's action!
Girona and Real Madrid met for the first time in La Liga last season, and the Catalan outfit recorded a historic 2-1 win in front of their own supporters. Indeed, second-half goals from Cristhian Stuani and Portu saw Girona triumph in the wake of the Catalan government declaring independence.
Real Madrid did get their own back with a 6-3 win at the Bernabeu, but Cristiano Ronaldo scored four times during that particular match, and the Portuguese is of course no longer with Los Blancos. Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news here...
TEAMS!
GIRONA: Bono; Porro, Bernardo, Juanpe, Muniesa; Timor, Pons, Granell; B Garcia, Lozano, Portu
REAL MADRID: Navas; Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Isco; Asensio, Bale, Benzema
Girona boss Eusebio Sacristan has made two change to the team that started against Real Valladolid last time out, with Anthony Lozano and Pere Pons replacing Aleix Garcia and Cristhian Stuani. Patrick Roberts is again on the bench, meanwhile, following his arrival from Manchester City.
Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui, meanwhile, has also made one change to the team that started against Getafe last time out. The alteration comes in midfield as Casemiro replaces Dani Ceballos, who has dropped to the bench. Keylor Navas again starts over Thibaut Courtois between the sticks, while Marco Asensio joins Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in the final third.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in Catalonia. I shall speak about the hosts a bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. As mentioned, Los Blancos opened their 2018-19 La Liga challenge with a 2-0 home win over Getafe.
Real Madrid were far from their best against Getafe, but goals from Dani Carvajal and Gareth Bale ensured that they would open with a win, which was important following the UEFA Super Cup. Indeed, Real Madrid suffered a 4-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Super Cup earlier this month.
The Super Cup went into extra-time after Diego Costa scored his second of the match late on, before goals from Saul Niguez and Koke ensured that Atletico would triumph. There were certainly some under-par performances from Real Madrid players, and it is not quite what Julen Lopetegui would have had in mind in his first competitive match in charge of the capital giants.
Lopetegui is, of course, in the hot-seat having replaced Zinedine Zidane as head coach. The 51-year-old was due to lead Spain at the 2018 World Cup, but was sacked on the eve of the tournament after taking the Real Madrid post. Zidane won one La Liga title and three Champions League crowns during his time in the position, and Lopetegui has some act to follow.
That said, despite Real Madrid's Champions League triumph last season, they finished down in third position in La Liga - 17 points off the champions Barcelona. Los Blancos were just not good enough in the league last term as they relinquished the title having won just 22 of their 38 matches.
As for Girona, last season proved to be incredibly successful for the club as they finished 10th in their first campaign in La Liga. Girona actually won 14 of their 38 league matches, and were only seven points off seventh-placed Sevilla. It was a very, very strong campaign for the Catalan club.
Girona lost their manager Pablo Machin to Sevilla at the end of last season, however, and Eusebio Sacristan is now in the hot-seat. The former Barcelona B manager saw his reign start with a goalless draw at home to newly-promoted Real Valladolid last time out.
It has been a busy summer for Girona, meanwhile, with the likes of Marc Muniesa, Johan Mojica and Patrick Roberts all arriving at the club. Muniesa starts tonight while Roberts is on the bench. Mojica, however, is currently injured. Kickoff is fast approaching in Catalonia!
Here we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. It is Girona versus Real Madrid in La Liga - be sure to stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates!
KICKOFF: Real Madrid kick things off in Catalonia...
... as expected, Real Madrid have taken control of the early possession in Catalonia, but Girona will not sit deep and look to absorb the pressure; they are just not that sort of a team.
All Real Madrid early on as they continue to move the ball in Girona's half of the field. That said, no chances to report in the opening four minutes. Navas has also had some work to do between the away side's sticks, with the Costa Rican leaving his goal to collect a deep cross from Timor.
Just a few signs that Girona are starting to settle in terms of ball possession, with Garcia and Portu finding little pockets between the lines. The pace is just starting to quicken here.
Kroos has to head behind his own goal as Girona threaten in a wide position. The resulting corner is delivered towards the penalty box, but Ramos is on hand to make the clearance.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Benzema finds the back of the net with a cool finish, but the flag is raised.
More goos work from Girona in a wide position as Portu finds some space before looking to deliver, but Carvajal is on hand to make the clearance. The hosts are having some joy out wide.
Benzema again breaks behind the Girona defence, but Juanpe is across to make the clearance. Portu then breaks down the other end for the home side, and is just about squeezed out.
Girona continue to press high up the field, which is forcing Real Madrid to move the ball quicker. It is a very open and interesting game of football, and surely we are going to have goals tonight.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Real Madrid to take the lead as Asensio delivers a low cross into Isco, but the Spaniard can only turn the ball wide of the far post!
GOAL! GIRONA 1-0 REAL MADRID (BORJA GARCIA)
Oh my word! Girona take the lead in the 17th minute as a cross from Lozano deflects into the path of Borja Garcia, and the number 10 finds the top corner of the net with a stunning hit!
Pressure from Real Madrid as Isco collects the ball in a dangerous area before feeding Carvajal, who delivers towards the far post, but there are no takers. Girona defend well once again.
Speculative effort from Juanpe, but Navas rises high to claim before releasing Marcelo in a wide position. It is an end-to-end game of football at the moment, with Girona leading 1-0.
Good pressure from Real Madrid as they force a corner following a smart move down the right, but Girona once again clear their lines. Asensio then sees a deep cross cleared by Porro.
Benzema dances into a shooting position outside the Girona box, but Timor is across to make the clearance. The hosts then break down the other end, and Carvajal has to clear a low cross from Garcia. Real Madrid's back four continues to come under pressure in this match.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Real Madrid's defensive unit does not look too sure. Girona's back four, however, continues to deal with the pressure here.
SHOT! Marcelo strikes from distance, but his effort was always too high.
CLOSE! Ramos heads a super Marcelo cross wide of the Girona post!
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and Girona still lead courtesy of that wonderful goal from Borja Garcia. Real Madrid have not created too much to be honest.
YELLOW CARD! Porro (Girona) is booked for a poor challenge on Marcelo.
CLOSE! Ramos heads another cross harmlessly over the Girona crossbar.
Portu and Garcia continue to cause problems to Real Madrid, and it must be said that Lozano has been very bright in the centre-forward role. Girona really have been excellent tonight.
PENALTY! REAL MADRID PENALTY!
Real Madrid have a penalty as Asensio is brought to the ground by Muniesa inside the box. Benzema had a strike blocked, and Asensio was first to react. Ramos will take the spot kick.
GOAL! GIRONA 1-1 REAL MADRID (RAMOS, PEN)
Wonderful from Ramos as he chips the ball straight down the middle for 1-1!
Real Madrid are on the front foot at the moment as they look to score a second before the break. Most of their work is coming down the left as Marcelo combines with Asensio.
Girona are now having a little spell as they threaten in a wide position. Portu delivers another cross towards Lozano, but Real Madrid manage to clear their lines. The visitors then break and Asenso's low strike almost falls for Bale, but the Welshman's cross is gathered by Bono.
HALF TIME: GIRONA 1-1 REAL MADRID
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Girona took the lead in the 17th minute courtesy of a wonderful effort from Garcia, but Real Madrid levelled from the penalty spot in the 39th minute courtesy of a fine spot kick from Ramos.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid dominated the first-half possession with 69%, while they had 10 attempts, but just two of those were on target. Girona, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their five attempts in the opening half of action. One booking to report - Porro in the 33rd minute.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid boss Lopetegui has an embarrassment of riches on his bench tonight, with Dani Ceballos, Lucas Vazquez, Luka Modric and Raphael Varane among those available. Girona, meanwhile, have second-half options in the shape of Aday, Roberts and Stuani.
KICKOFF: Girona resume the action on home soil...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
Benzema breaks into a dangerous position before finding Bale, but the Welshman balloons the ball out for a goal kick. Bale has not really been involved in this match thus far tonight.
Real Madrid remain the team on the front foot in the early stages of the second period, and Bale has been much more involved down the right, with Girona struggling to get out at the moment.
SAVE! Super save from Bono to keep out a strike from Bale!
PENALTY! PENALTY REAL MADRID
Real Madrid have another penalty as Pons brings Asensio to the deck!
GOAL! GIRONA 1-2 REAL MADRID (BENZEMA, PEN)
Benzema slots the ball into the back of the net to send Real Madrid 2-1 ahead.
Real Madrid are well on top at the moment as they continue to move the ball in the final third of the field. Girona just need to be careful that they do not concede a third during this period.
SAVE! Navas is on hand to keep out a header from Lozano as the hosts look to hit back. End-to-end football at the moment as both teams commit players in the final third.
GIRONA SUB! Stuani replaces Lozano for the home side.
GOAL! GIRONA 1-3 REAL MADRID (BALE)
Real Madrid have their third of the match as Bale races away from Muniesa before finding the bottom corner with a wonderful finish. Sensational pace from Bale there!
REAL MADRID SUB! Varane replaces Marcelo for the away side.
YELLOW CARD! Espinosa (Girona) is booked for bringing Bale to the deck.
Bale strikes a retaken free kick into the wall as Real Madrid look for a fourth goal here.
Real Madrid are full of it at the moment as Bale again breaks into a dangerous position before delivering a low cross, but Juanpe is on hand to make the clearance. Still 3-1 Real Madrid.
YELLOW CARD! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Garcia.
Asensio breaks into a wide position before flashing a cross towards the far post, but there are no takers. Still 3-1 with little over 20 minutes of football to play in this La Liga clash.
GIRONA SUB! Pons is replaced by Aleix Garcia.
Real Madrid are just controlling the match at the moment as they pass from side to side.
Real Madrid are preparing to make their second change of the match, and it will be Modric.
Real Madrid put together a sensational passing move involving Isco, Benzema and Asensio, but it ultimately comes to nothing. Some of the football in this second half has been very good.
REAL MADRID SUB! Isco is replaced by Modric for Real Madrid.
SAVE! Super save from Navas to keep out a close-range Portu effort!
GIRONA SUB! Aday replaces Porro for the home side.
GOAL! GIRONA 1-4 REAL MADRID (BENZEMA)
Real Madrid have their fourth, and Benzema has his second, with the Frenchman collecting a low Bale cross before firing home from close range. Not sure about the defending there!
Real Madrid have been very, very good in this second period it must be said.
Real Madrid continue to control the match as they pass and probe in the final third.
Girona have had some of the ball in the last couple of minutes, but have been unable to force Navas into a save. The home side have struggled in the second half of action it must be said.
YELLOW CARD! Benzema (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Granell.
REAL MADRID SUB! Lucas replaces Bale for the away side.
YELLOW CARD! Lucas (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Borja Garcia.
Girona have the ball inside the Real Madrid's half of the field, but Timor strikes high and wide of the crossbar from distance. Real Madrid are going to run out 4-1 winners here it seems.
We are into the second of four additional minutes at the end of the match.
SAVE! Smart save from Navas to keep out a strike from Granell.
Late pressure from Girona, but it appears that it is going to finish 4-1 to the visitors.
FULL TIME: GIRONA 1-4 REAL MADRID
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid running out 4-1 winners over Girona in Catalonia. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
