Real Madrid 1-1 Girona: Report, result, goals as Blancos draw in La Liga – but should Mbappe have had penalty?

Thomas Lemar’s blistering finish earned Girona a point and extended Real Madrid’s winless run to three matches as Los Blancos handed more momentum to Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a draw at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid, who lost at home to Mallorca in the top flight last Sunday and against visitors Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, went ahead in the 51st minute when Federico Valverde’s drive flew under goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, who made several fine saves before the break but may feel he could have stopped the strike.

Following their 1-0 home win over Villarreal on Monday, Girona’s productive week continued when Lemar arrowed in from distance 11 minutes later to move his side nine points above the relegation zone and leave Madrid six behind leaders Barcelona, having played a match more.

Analysis: Should Kylian Mbappe have had a penalty?

Should Barcelona move nine points clear with seven matches remaining by winning at home to midtable Espanyol on Saturday (17:30 BST), Madrid’s disjointed season will be all the more likely to hinge on beating an imperious-looking Bayern side away on Wednesday (20:00).

Liga top scorer Kylian Mbappe felt he should have had a penalty after being struck by centre-back Vitor Reis’ arm with three minutes remaining, although referee Javier Alberola Rojas did not see the potential offence.

Former La Liga and international referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez said Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology would “never intervene” in such a situation.

💪 ORGULL D’EQUIP! pic.twitter.com/PP0PmuUqte

— Girona FC (@GironaFC) April 10, 2026

“It’s an action inside the penalty area, where Mbappe dribbles inside and the defender, in trying to follow the dribble, hits him in the face with his arm,” Gonzalez told AS.

“For me, it’s a penalty – but the instructions they have in the VAR room are not to intervene in those types of plays.”

Mbappe netted a consolation against Bayern but has now not scored in four successive Liga matches, last finding the net in the division on February 8.

Real Madrid team vs Girona

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (quad) and winger Rodrygo (knee) were sidelined for Madrid but Dani Ceballos was on the bench as the midfielder continued his comeback from a half injury, as was left-back Ferland Mendy, who had a hamstring problem.

Wideman Trent Alexander-Arnold was among the players rested but Jude Bellingham made his first start following an injury that led to England deciding not to risk the midfielder during the most recent international break.

Defenders Eder Militao and Raul Asensio started following injuries. Dani Carvajal, Fran Garcia, Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Diaz also came in.

Winger Franco Mastantuono was suspended.

Real Madrid starting XI: Andriy Lunin, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Raul Asencio, Fran Garcia, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Brahim Diaz, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior

Madrid substitutes: Fran Gonzalez, David Alaba, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Gonzalo Garcia, Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy, Dean Huijsen, Jesus Fortea, Manuel Angel, Daniel Yanez, Thiago Pitarch

Girona team vs Real Madrid

Goalkeeper Juan Carlos and winger Portu (both knee) and midfielder Donny van de Beek (achilles) remained out for Girona.

Defender Daley Blind was absent with a muscle injury, as was top scorer Vladyslav Vanat with a hamstring issue.

On-loan Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen had a hamstring problem and attacking prospect Javier Sarasa was banned.

Head coach Michel made three changes, bringing in on-loan Manchester City forward Claudio Echeverri for top scorer Vanat.

Central defender Alejandro Frances came in at centre-back, with Thomas Lemar introduced in midfield.

Girona starting XI: Paulo Gazzaniga, Arnau Martinez, Vitor Reis, Alejandro Frances, Alex Moreno, Axel Witsel, Azzedine Ounahi, Thomas Lemar, Ivan Martin, Claudio Echeverri, Viktor Tsygankov

Girona substitutes: Ruben Blanco, Vladyslav Krapyvtsov, Hugo Rincon, Joel Roca, David Lopez, Cristhian Stuani, Fran Beltran, Abel Ruiz, Bryan Gil, Lass Kourouma

What’s next? Real Madrid, Girona fixtures

Here’s the schedule for Real Madrid for the rest of the season, which could include a two-legged Champions League semi-final starting in April if they overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit in their quarter-final against Bayern.

Dates and kick-off time for matches in May are to be confirmed.

Girona’s remaining fixtures look like this. Dates and kick-off time for matches in May are to be confirmed.