Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table side Girona in La Liga, extending the hosts' winless run to three games across all competitions and giving leaders Barcelona an opportunity to stretch their advantage at the top of the table.

The first half was tepid and lacked inspiration, with Real Madrid failing to produce attacking football despite monopolizing possession. Girona were content to sit deep and launch counter-attacks when possible. The closest chance before the break came from Girona's Azzedine Ounahi, whose fierce effort was saved by goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

The game sparked into life after halftime. In the 51st minute, Federico Valverde broke the deadlock with a low strike from the edge of the box that should have posed little threat, but Girona keeper Paulo Gazzaniga allowed the ball to squirm through his arms. However, Real's relief was short-lived—in the 62nd minute, Thomas Lemar surged in from the right and rifled a superb shot from the edge of the area that flew into the net to level the score.

Real Madrid pushed for a winner, but urgency turned into anxiety, with attacks becoming hurried, passes rushed, and composure lacking. Girona held their shape with discipline to frustrate the opposition, and the Bernabeu crowd booed the players, sensing their team's La Liga title hopes were dissipating before their eyes.

The final whistle was met with unease at the Bernabeu, as Real Madrid's stuttering form tilts the title race increasingly in favor of their old rivals Barcelona. Barcelona have 76 points, six ahead of second-placed Real, with a game in hand. If Barcelona win against Espanyol on Saturday, they can move nine points clear, which with seven matches left would virtually decide the championship in their favor.

Source: www.aljazeera.com