MADRID: Real Madrid eased to a 2-0 home victory over Girona on Sunday thanks to a blistering first-half volley by Luka Modric and a late Vinicius Jr strike as they snapped a three-game winless run and moved up to second place in La Liga behind Barcelona.

Reigning champions Real took a while to settle into the match but gradually began to exert control before a clearance from a corner fell to Modric, whose sublime long-range volley arrowed into the top corner in the 41st minute.

The home side’s forwards combined for the second goal in the 83rd when Kylian Mbappe played through Vinicius, who poked his shot under goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

Real are on 54 points after 25 games. They are level with Barca but trail on the head-to-head count. Atletico Madrid are third with 53.

It was Real’s first La Liga win since they beat Real Valladolid last month and Modric enjoyed his goal.

“Modric is a gift to football. He should stay as long as he wants to. What he does he does very well. We have been lucky to have a legend with us,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters. “Football has been given a gift by his seriousness, quality and professionalism.”

Girona’s defeat left them 12th in the standings and dealt yet another blow to their hopes of repeating last season’s achievement of qualifying for European football.

“Well, we’re a little bit more conservative ... this season, we played a little bit deeper,” defender Miguel Gutierrez said.

“We tried to leave them less space in behind. But, again, with the ball we weren’t able to take our chances. And so we lost the game.”

Earlier, Athletic Bilbao hammered bottom side Real Valladolid 7-1 to stay on track for Champions League football next season.

Ernesto Valverde’s side, fourth, were rampant at the San Mames with Spain star Nico Williams scoring twice in the win which took them four points clear of Villarreal in fifth.

Elsewhere, Isco struck twice as Real Betis beat Getafe 2-1 to move seventh, although winger Antony was sent off for a foolish late tackle from behind.

The Brazilian, on loan from Manchester United, has enjoyed a strong start to life in Spain but needlessly felled Juan Iglesias after the ball had gone.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2025