Real Madrid closes in on top spot with crucial win over Girona in La Liga

Jude Bellingham played a crucial role in leading champions Real Madrid to a convincing 3-0 win against Girona in La Liga on Saturday. Kylian Mbappe also found the back of the net, redeeming himself after missing two penalties in recent matches. With this victory, Los Blancos have narrowed the gap on league leaders Barcelona to just two points, as the Catalans settled for a 2-2 draw against Real Betis. Madrid now have the opportunity to take the top spot with a game in hand.

Bellingham opened the scoring before half-time and set up Turkish playmaker Arda Guler for Madrid's second, before Mbappe produced a clinical finish for their third.

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Both Bellingham and defender Ferland Mendy were replaced with apparent knocks in the second half ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash at Atalanta.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Bellingham was "available" for the game but said Mendy had suffered a muscular injury.

After Madrid's fifth defeat across all competitions in midweek against Athletic Bilbao, having lost just twice last season, Ancelotti pledged his team would improve and they were significantly better against Girona.

"Bellingham scored his fifth goal running (in La Liga), Mbappe scored, Brahim (Diaz) did good work, Arda scored a great goal," Ancelotti said. "We have to bear the moment out and as I said, bit by bit we will come back (to form)."

With Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo sidelined, Ancelotti selected Bellingham and Diaz in support of Mbappe.

The French forward has been the focus of criticism in recent weeks after blowing penalties against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao, and struggling to find the form which made him a star with Paris Saint-Germain and his country.

Girona, who ran Madrid close for the Spanish title for much of last season before eventually finishing third, started the stronger but Madrid soon clicked into gear.

Bellingham pounced after 36 minutes when Diaz's cross was blocked and the ball fell kindly to the England international to drill home.

It was Bellingham's fifth goal in his last five La Liga games, finding the form which powered Madrid to a Champions League and La Liga double last season.

Los Blancos got their second in the 55th minute when Bellingham threaded through a fine pass for Guler to finish.

Mbappe rattled in Madrid's third from a tight angle after Bellingham hobbled off with a knock after Luka Modric played him in down the right.

Ancelotti will hope Madrid can carry some momentum into the vital Champions League visit to Atalanta, for which Vinicius is expected to return from a hamstring problem.

Girona, eighth in La Liga, welcome Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Earlier Real Betis twice came behind to stop Barcelona from triumphing in Seville. Assane Diao levelled in the 94th minute to stun Barcelona, who opened the scoring after 39 minutes through Robert Lewandowski. After Giovani Lo Celso levelled for the mid-table hosts from the penalty spot, substitute Ferran Torres struck what seemed the winner before Diao's late intervention.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said his team had to improve on the road, where most of their set-backs have come this season.

"We have the quality to win every match but we also have to show that," said Flick. "(In) the away matches we have to be much stronger than we played here."

Real Betis started strongly, with Raphinha forced to clear Diego Llorente's header off his own goal-line.

The electric Yamal helped Barcelona get on top as Betis sat deep and the Catalans found the breakthrough shortly before the break with a slick move finished by Lewandowski.

It was the 36-year-old striker's 16th league goal of the campaign and he leads the charts in Spain.

The hosts levelled with a penalty converted by Lo Celso, when Frenkie de Jong stepped on the heel of Vitor Roque, on loan at Betis from Barca, with Flick sent off for protesting.

"I'm really disappointed about (my red card), I thought that would never happen to me," Flick told reporters.

Torres netted his second goal in two games to put Barca back in front before Diao struck late on.

"I'm very happy with the goal," said the 19-year-old forward. "Now I want to go for more."

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