sluggish, Real Madrid overcomes Las Palmas (video)

By Le Figaro with AFP

Published 21 minutes ago, Updated now

The Merengue’s joy at Brahim Diaz’s opener. JUAN MEDINA / REUTERS

The Merengue beat Las Palmas 2-0 on Matchday 7 of La Liga on Wednesday. They take second place behind Girona, surprising leader.

Real Madrid beat Las Palmas 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Matchday 7 of La Liga, taking advantage of FC Barcelona’s misstep the day before to take second place, one point behind Girona, new leader of the Spanish championship. The Madrilenians bounced back well after their defeat against their rivals Atlético on Sunday (3-1), but this victory does not allow them to recover first place, occupied by the Catalans of Girona, victorious on the lawn of Villarreal ( 2-1) thanks to a goal from Eric Garcia, on loan from Barça.

Still sluggish and with their English prodigy Jude Bellingham on the bench, the Madrilenians first came up against the opposing goalkeeper Alvaro Valles, author of five decisive saves in front of Rodrygo (5th), Brahim Diaz (25th) and Joselu (21st, 44th, 45th). Carlo Ancelotti’s men found the fault just before half-time thanks to the first goal of the season from Brahim Diaz, who returned to the club this summer after a stint in Milan (45+3, 1-0), before Joselu doubles the lead (54th, 2-0).

In the second period, the Brazilian Vinicius returned to the field after more than a month of absence with a hamstring injury, while the Austrian defender David Alaba was forced to leave his team while holding the right adductor. The Merengue managed the end of the match well, without however managing to worsen the score. Called upon three times, Kepa was vigilant on his line.

Girona takes the throne

The nice surprise at the start of the season, Girona, owned by Manchester City’s parent company, the City Football Group, will therefore host Real on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the leader’s position, while FC Barcelona will face Sevilla FC on Friday (9 p.m.).

In the other match of the evening, Athletic Bilbao, fourth and reduced to 10, was held to a draw by Getafe 2-2, despite a fourth goal from Spaniard Inaki Williams. Real Sociedad travels to Valencia at 9:30 p.m. for the clash of this 7th day, which will end on Thursday with the Granada-Betis Sevilla matches (7 p.m.), and Osasuna-Atlético Madrid (9:30 p.m.).