Mbappe Saves Real Madrid with Late Penalty, But Draw Keeps Barcelona at the Top | La Liga Title Race

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In a tightly contested match, Real Madrid secured a crucial 1-1 draw against Girona on Sunday, but ultimately fell short of reclaiming top spot in La Liga. Kylian Mbappe's 14th La Liga goal of the season, scored from the penalty spot, prevented Madrid from suffering a second consecutive defeat. However, the draw leaves them two points behind leaders Barcelona, who maintained their pole position with a win over Alaves on Saturday. Madrid's third consecutive draw has increased the pressure on coach Xabi Alonso, who remains uncertain about his future at the helm. Despite the disappointing result, Alonso remains optimistic, stating that his team's unity and determination will be key in the remainder of the season. The draw also had significant implications for the title race, with Villarreal's 3-2 win over Real Sociedad seeing them move back above Atletico Madrid in the standings. Meanwhile, Real Betis claimed a 2-0 victory over Sevilla in a fiery derby clash, which was briefly suspended due to fan interference. Madrid will look to regain momentum in their next match against Athletic Bilbao, a game that will test their away form. With the title race expected to be fiercely contested, Madrid will need to find a way to break their current draw streak and start winning consistently if they hope to catch Barcelona and claim the La Liga title.