Real Madrid Hand Barcelona Huge La Liga Title Chance After Draw With Girona

Real Madrid had to settle for a 1-1 draw against mid-table Girona in La Liga, extending the hosts’ winless run to three games in all competitions and giving leaders Barcelona the chance to stretch their advantage at the top.

Federico Valverde put Real ahead six minutes after halftime on Friday, but Girona levelled in the 62nd minute through Thomas Lemar.

Barca have 76 points, six ahead of second-placed Real, who have now played a game more. The Catalan side visit Espanyol on Saturday and can move nine clear with seven matches left.

Real began the night under pressure, having slipped to a loss at Mallorca last weekend to trail Barca by seven points.

Coach Alvaro Arbeloa opted for a full-strength side despite Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Bayern Munich looming next Wednesday, in which his side must overturn a 2-1 deficit suffered at the Santiago Bernabeu.

- REUTERS