The 24-year-old Argentine centre-forward Valentin "Taty" Castellanos, on loan from New York City to the Catalan club this season, pierced the wall of the "White House" four times: in the 12th minute, with his head. In the 24th, taking advantage of an error of judgment by Eder Militao to go against it. In the 46th, a few seconds after the return of the locker room, by taking from the right a ball centered by Yan Couto and let slip by Ivan Martin. And in the 62nd, from the head, again, after a combination on corner.

Vinicius' goal on the half-hour mark (34th), from the header to the reception of a Marco Asensio centre at the second post, and his assist for Lucas Vazquez, in the 85th, were not enough to keep Real afloat, who suffered their sixth defeat of the season in La Liga.

"It's a dream night. We're playing against one of the best teams in the world, and I couldn't have imagined that. Scoring against Real Madrid was already a dream, so scoring four goals, I let you imagine...", breathed the Argentine at the final whistle.

Historic quadruple

With this quadruple, Castellanos becomes the sixth player in the history of the Spanish league to score four goals against Real Madrid, and the first since December 21, 1947 (Esteban Echevarría with Oviedo, according to Spanish statistician MisterChip). He even surpasses illustrious players like Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez, who have scored "only" a hat-trick against the "White House".

Girona's Argentine striker Taty Castellanos (left) scored the first of his four goals on Tuesday against Real Madrid in the Spanish league, at Girona's Montilivi Stadium. © LLUIS GENE / AFP

In April 2013, Robert Lewandowski, now at Barça, scored four goals in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund against Madrid.

With these four goals, Castellanos inflates his total to eleven goals scored this season in the league.

Girona's Argentine striker Taty Castellanos celebrates the third of his four goals against Real Madrid on Tuesday in the Spanish league, at Girona's Montilivi Stadium. © LLUIS GENE / AFP

Attractive since the beginning of the season, Girona, managed by Michel, had already hung a 1-1 draw at the Bernabéu on October 30 in the first leg. And the promoted continues its good season in La Liga, currently in 9th place (41 points), six points from the qualifying places for European competitions.

For Real, on the other hand, this defeat is a big blow before the final sprint of the season.

Militao and Lunin, nightmare evening

Carlo Ancelotti, deprived of some executives including captain Karim Benzema (victim of a blow) and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (gastroenteritis), had decided to give playing time to second knives... but Real, although sometimes superior in the game, sank in defence.

Brazilian central defender Eder Militao, brilliant all season, notably faltered Tuesday night in Catalonia, chaining error after error. And Courtois' understudy, Andriy Lunin, did not provide the necessary guarantees.

Real Madrid striker Vinicius Jr on the ground during the 4-2 loss in Girona on Tuesday night in the Spanish league. © LLUIS GENE / AFP

"The team didn't play. The individual level was below normal, for everyone. We were nervous, from the start, we lost control a little, and when we felt that the break could do us good, we conceded the third goal. The team was not connected, and we paid for it," Ancelotti said in a post-match press conference.

"In the last seven games, we had kept our cage inviolate six times, and tonight we conceded four goals... because there was no commitment. The players have understood it, and if necessary, I will repeat it every day," he thundered.

Only Vinicius, on the merengue side, pulled out of the game: heckled by Arnau Martinez, the Brazilian pulled himself together to express his talent on the field, and offered a full game.

With this setback, Real Madrid stalls in second place in the table, and offers FC Barcelona the opportunity to take fourteen points ahead at the top eight days from the end: the Catalans move Wednesday (22:00) on the lawn of Rayo Vallecano to take a huge step closer to the coronation.

© 2023 AFP