Taty Castellanos scores four goals for Madrid and certifies the salvation of Girona (4-2)

Girona, placed in the hands (or head and feet) of a Taty Castellanos that turned into gold everything that he touched, celebrated, and in what way, a permanence in First Division at least, already, virtual. The historic poker of the Argentine striker rewarded the courage of Míchel’s men, who despite being without the ball at different times, knew how to read the game and take advantage of chances. Girona, with 41 points, has done it, or almost. From Manchester, Pep Guardiola was able to take good note of how to defeat Ancelotti’s men in the Champions League semifinals thanks to the class of his colleague Míchel. Everything remains in the City group.

It could seem that Real Madrid had come to Girona for a walk, that their senses must be focused on the European tie and the Cup final against Osasuna. Ancelotti did not have Benzema or Courtois, the whites traveled the same day of the match, but the first minute had not been played when he had already forced a corner in an apparently safe action that Rodrygo was about to convert into a goal. One of teams like Madrid cannot be trusted, with squads so supersonic that even when it seems that it is time for rotations they are capable of putting together a nativity scene for you.

The whites came out like in Cádiz or against Celta, looking for prominence and the ball. Girona, driven by the Montilivi of great occasions, had to wait patiently and well ordered behind. Thus, Girona’s first chance ended in a goal, to the delirium of the stands: Miguel appeared to cross from the left wing and find Castellanos’ header. It had not reached the quarter of an hour and the rojiblancos commanded the scoreboard before the first oversight of a crystal white defense.

A lethal counter

The 1-0 did not change the script much. Possession was still overwhelming for Madrid, with a tough Vinicius asking for leadership from the left flank. Meanwhile, Girona continued to do their thing, and in a lethal counterattack after 24 minutes he sank his teeth into the whites again. Castellanos, this time, went like a bullet alone towards the Lunin goal, won the race against Militao, missed the entire game, and made it 2-0.

Not even the rain that began to fall hard in Montilivi stopped the push of the stands, which sounded like another ‘diada’ like that of Sant Narcís in 2017 shortly after Sant Jordi 2023. It would have been ideal to arrive at half-time with that score, but the Madrid cut distance with a header from Vinicius after a good assist from Asensio at the far post. The first half ended breathlessly, on the pitch and in the stands, with a crazy, electric game, from one area to another and clear chances to score the third for the locals in actions by Castellanos and Riquelme.

Related news

Not a minute had passed since the restart when Castellanos reappeared to send a precise cross from Yan Couto into the back of the net. It was 3-1 and delirium returned to the Montilivi stands. Not even a new shower stopped the celebration of the fans, while on the grass the whites accused the blow. The game was for Girona, who was edging it, the rival was still missing with half an hour to play. And it ended up disappearing with the goal poker of Castellanos, who beat Lunin again shortly after the hour of play.

Montilivi was crazy. The last player to score four goals in the League was Yeremy Pino on February 27, 2022 in a Villarreal-Espanyol (5-1) match. And you have to go back to 1947 to find a footballer who would have scored four against Madrid in the League: Esteban Echevarría, from Oviedo. Castellanos left the pitch on the shoulders at 73 minutes, replaced by Stuani. By then the whites had already thrown in the towel. Lucas Vázquez’s goal served only to make up the score. The victory was red and white. And salvation too.