Bellingham impresses again as Real Madrid deals Girona its 1st defeat of season to go top of league

Sat, Sep 30, 2023
Soccer News (AP)

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Jude Bellingham scored one goal and set up another as Real Madrid dealt Girona its first defeat of the season to move ahead of the hosts at the top of the Spanish league on Saturday.

Bellingham fueled Madrid's 3-0 victory on the road after passing for Joselu Mato's 17th-minute opener. He then rounded off the scoring with his league-leading sixth goal in eight games after Aurelien Tchouameni doubled the advantage.

Madrid climbed over Girona and Barcelona to the top of the standings. Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid now leads Barcelona by one point and Girona by two.

Girona, which is partly owned Manchester City's Abu Dhabi ownership, had entered the round leading the league after winning six straight games for the first time in club history.

Madrid lost defender Nacho Fernandez in injury time when he saw a direct red for a studs-first tackle on Girona's Cristian "Portu" Portugues. Portu had to be carried off on a stretcher. The foul led to a brief confrontation between players.

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