Girona held by Betis as Madrid go top with late win at Alaves

BeSoccer 4 months ago 3.6k |

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Vazquez headed home a Toni Kroos corner to send Madrid top of the table. AFP

Girona missed the chance to ensure they will finish the year top of La Liga as the surprise leaders conceded a late equaliser at Real Betis in a 1-1 draw on Thursday. Real Madrid go into the winter break as La Liga leaders after claiming a late win at Alaves thanks to a Livas Cazquez goal in stoppage time.

Artem Dovbyk's first-half penalty, the Ukrainian's 11th goal of the season, looked to have Girona heading for a fourth straight win and ninth victory in their last 10 matches. But German Pezzella, a World Cup winner with Argentina, levelled with two minutes to play as Betis extended their unbeaten run to 13 games - nine of which have been draws.

Girona, the club part-owned by the owners of Manchester City, dropped points for only the fourth time in 18 games this season and were replaced at top later by Real Madrid.

Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga made a smart double save from Willian Jose and Ayoze Perez in the first half before the visitors struck after Savio was fouled in the area by Aitor Ruibal. Dovbyk stepped up and calmly rolled home the spot-kick to continue his fine debut season in Spain.

But Girona, making an unlikely title push in only their fourth season in the top flight, failed to clear a late corner and Pezzella slammed the loose ball beyond Gazzaniga.

For their part, Ancelotti's side came close to not taking advantage of the Catalan side dropping points, but in the end the 'Merengues' go into the winter break as La Liga leaders level on points with Michel's side.

'Los Blancos' did not put in the best of performances in the first half against the Basque side, who had little trouble keeping them at bay. Moreover, the visitors found themselves in even more trouble when a horrifying tackle by Nacho Fernandez cost the Real Madrid captain a red card.

Reduced to 10 men, the 'Merengues' surprisingly upped their game although they could not break the deadlock until stoppage time, when Lucas Vazquez headed home a Toni Kroos corner to send his side top of the table.