GIRONA: Girona’s Valentin Castellanos became the first player in 75 years to score four in a LaLiga game against Real Madrid as they secured a stunning 4-2 win over Carlo Ancelotti’s side whose faint title hopes were dealt another blow on Tuesday.

Second-placed Real’s title chances are in tatters as they sit on 65 points, 11 adrift of Barcelona having played one extra match.

Castellanos proved a one-man wrecking ball, netting twice early in each half, with Real’s Vinicius Jr making it 2-1 and Lucas Vazquez grabbing a late consolation.

The last time someone netted four goals or more against Real in a LaLiga game was in December 1947, when Esteban Echavarria scored five for Real Oviedo.

Girona’s Castellanos was left in tears after missing a big chance against Barca earlier in April in a goalless draw, but made amends in spectacular fashion at Montilivi against Madrid.

The Argentine striker, on loan at Girona from New York City FC — owned by the City group — exposed gaps in Real’s defence ahead of their Champions League semi-final tie against Manchester City in May.

Castellanos shut down his social media accounts after his bad night in front of goal at Camp Nou, but thanked those close to him for their support.

“It was a dream night, we had a great game against one of the best teams in the world, it was a dream night,” Castellanos said. “I never imagined this, [I’m] enjoying it with our fans, with the people who have sent me support — my family, people in Argentina, they are always supporting me and that’s fundamental.”

In April 2022 Castellanos hit four goals for New York City against Real Salt Lake and repeated the trick a little over a year later.

“Obviously they are different days, it was a dream to score against Madrid and to score four — you can’t even imagine it,” he added.

Ancelotti had said his team needed to stay in a positive winning dynamic in the league to stay at the top of their game in Europe, but badly took their eye off the ball in Girona.

“A tough night, yes, when you lose a game like that it’s a tough night,” said the Italian. “On a defensive level it was a bad game, and that was the key to the match... the individual level was lower than normal too. Everybody’s was, not just some people. The level was very low, because the defensive aspect, which was very good in recent games, today, we have forgotten.”

Girona, who are ninth in LaLiga with 41 points, have proved troublesome opponents for Real this season, with the reverse fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu ending 1-1 in October.

On Tuesday, they outclassed their visitors, exploiting an ill-disciplined Real defence.

The hosts stunned Real with their first goal 12 minutes into the match as an unmarked Castellanos headed in from close range following a cross from Miguel Gutierrez.

Girona doubled their lead 12 minutes later when Castellanos latched on to a long ball, worked his way into the box and fired low beneath Real keeper Andriy Lunin.

Vinicius reduced the deficit in the 34th minute when he was left unmarked at the far post to head in Marco Asensio’s cross.

Castellanos, however, scored his third goal 36 seconds into the second half, sweeping home a right-footed half-volley after Real’s defence gave him space in the box.

The 24-year-old Argentine was left alone inside the box again and headed in his fourth goal of the evening, and his 11th in LaLiga this season, in the 62nd minute, before being substituted 10 minutes later.

Real’s Vazquez scored from close range in the 85th minute.

Vazquez pulled another back for Madrid late on after more good work by Vinicius, but it was too little, too late.

SOCIEDAD HOLD OFF BETIS

Fourth-placed Real Sociedad earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Real Betis to frustrate the Andalusians, fifth, ensuring a six-point gap remains between them as they tightened their grip on Champions League qualification for next season.

It was a game of few clear chances, but Sergio Canales could have fired Betis in front after 74 minutes, firing inches over after good work by Juan Miranda.

Rui Silva saved well from Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino’s drive deep into stoppage time at the other end.

Betis had the better of the second half but could not find the winner their fans craved and next travel to champions-in-waiting Barca on Saturday.

Osasuna beat Cadiz 1-0 thanks to Ruben Garcia’s long-range goal, although they had winger Ez Abde sent off late on, minutes after coming off the bench.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2023