FC Barcelona has regained the lead in LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 on matchday 14. Real Madrid's draw at Montilivi (1-1) allowed Hansi Flick's team to definitively take first place, now with a one-point advantage over a 'White House' that continues to struggle and has now drawn three consecutive matches in the tournament, all away from home.
Xabi Alonso welcomed back Militao and Rüdiger to the center of defense, but Real Madrid failed to overcome their defensive problems. Alexander-Arnold and Fran García had many issues on the wings, while Tchouaméni was also not sharp in midfield.
Girona was more effective in a very even first half and went into halftime with a lead thanks to a goal from Azzedine Ounahi. In the second half, Kylian Mbappé equalized from the penalty spot, his fourth of 25/26
Ounahi put Girona ahead before halftime
Madrid struggled to find their rhythm in the initial quarter of an hour. Girona's high press caused several errors in the 'Merengue' defense's build-up, although **Vanat and Bryan Gil** were erratic in their finishing. **Kylian Mbappé**, meanwhile, was the visitors' best player when he managed to receive the ball near the box and take on defendersThe '10' passed to Arda Güler in the 9th minute, but the Turk shot wide from the edge of the box. Gazzaniga intervened half an hour later to prevent a Militao header, minutes after Courtois had saved a goal from Tsygankov with a two-part save
The match gained intensity as the minutes went by, with the midfield becoming a zone of free transit. In the back-and-forth, Madrid struck first, but De Burgos Bengoetxea, after a VAR call, disallowed a Mbappé goal in the 42nd minute for a handball by the Frenchman before pushing the ball into the net.
Just when the 'merengues' seemed to be doing better, Girona's 1-0 arrived. A good run by Tsygankov on the left led to a low cross that Azzedine Ounahi converted into a goal with a powerful left-footed shot, impossible for Courtois.
Fran García was caught out by the Ukrainian's burst down the wing, but the Madrid center-backs also failed to appear to even hinder the Moroccan as he struck the ball. Thus, the Catalans went into halftime with a lead.
Courtois saved a one-on-one against Vanat
At halftime, Xabi Alonso brought on Camavinga for a non-existent Güler. Los Blancos threatened with a Bellingham header straight into Gazzaniga's hands in the 50th minute, but Girona came close to a second in the 56th after a through ball from Iván Martín to Vanat, which left the Ukrainian well-positioned to finish.
However, **Courtois intervened with a great save to save the Whites**. The match became increasingly intense, with the 'albirrojo' team increasingly withdrawn in defense and attentive to the counter-attack. **Vinicius** scored in the 61st minute, clearly offside, and a minute later, missed a point-blank goal after a cross from Trent from the right.Mbappé tied the score with a penalty in the 66'
Girona showed signs of fatigue, but Míchel had not yet moved his bench. Finally, in the 65th minute, Vinicius drew a penalty after a breakthrough down the left and a clear push from Hugo Rincón. De Burgos Bengoetxea did not hesitate to award the penalty, which Mbappé once again took.
'Kiki' finished with a cross, and although Gazzaniga guessed the side, the ball went into the net. **In 66 minutes, Xabi Alonso's team equalized the match against a physically outmatched home side**. Míchel, in the 70th minute, made three substitutions to reorganize his midfield, just after a deflected header from Ounahi, alone in front of Courtois.In Madrid there was also a change, with Rodrygo coming in for Tchouaméni. The changes helped Girona to reorganize in defense, although possession remained with the rival
Girona takes a valuable point against Madrid
In the final stretch, Madrid focused its attack on the left flank, with 'Vini' as the main offensive weapon. The '7' came close to scoring a screamer in the 79th minute with a curling shot that went slightly high. Míchel used his final substitutions, bringing on Lass and Abel Ruiz for Vanat and Ounahi, respectively.
In stoppage time, Xabi Alonso brought on Gonzalo and Carreras, pushing his team to go for the winning goal. Mbappé, with a right-footed shot in the 90+3', came within inches of a brace, but in the end, it was a draw at Montilivi. A result that leaves Barça as leader, reclaiming first place with 34 points after six matchdays.
Match Report: Girona FC 1-1 Real Madrid
- Girona, 1: Gazzaniga; Arnau Martínez, Hugo Rincón (Francés, min. 70), Vitor Reis, Álex Moreno; Axel Witsel, Iván Martín, Ounahi (Ruiz, min. 82); Tsygankov (Asprilla, min. 70), Bryan Gil (Roca, min. 70) and Vanat (Lass, min. 82).
- Real Madrid, 1: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold (Gonzalo, min. 89), Rüdiger, Éder Militao, Fran García (Carreras, min. 89); Tchouaméni (Rodrygo, min. 70), Valverde; Bellingham, Arda Güler (Camavinga, min. 46), Vinicius; Mbappé.
- Goals: 1-0, Azzedine Ounahi (min. 45); 1-1, Kylian Mbappé (min. 66).
- Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea. Booked Paulo Gazzaniga, Azzedine Ounahi and Vladyslav Vanat for Girona. Disallowed a goal by Kylian Mbappé for a prior handball by the Frenchman, after a VAR call. Awarded a penalty for Hugo Rincón's foul on Vinicius in the second half.
- Stadium: Montilivi in Barcelona.
- Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 14 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26.