They very nearly do! Navas has really put a marker down today, and the Madrid goalkeeper has just pulled off another superb stop, lunging to the right to keep out Granell’s curling effort.
90'
There will be a minimum of four minutes added time. Can Girona snatch a late consolation?
88'
Lucas Vázquez gets yellow.
Vazquez makes an immediate impact with a fantastic run towards the area, only to be bundled over right on the edge of the box. The referee dismisses his claims, though and, to then add further insult, the official brandishes a yellow card, even though Vazquez’s claims were perfectly legitimate.
87'
Lucas Vázquez enters the game and replaces G. Bale.
Bale is off, having put in another great display. Spain winger Vazquez is his replacement.
86'
K. Benzema gets yellow.
A booking for Benzema, who lunged in high on an opponent. The break in play will also allow Madrid to make their final change.
85'
A classy display from Madrid in this second half. Girona were resolute before the break, but have been unable to match Los Blancos’ craft and guile since the restart.
80'
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by G. Bale.
It's turned into a rout! Superb play from Bale, who gets down the right and delivers a low cross back into the area, where Benzema was waiting to tuck home his second of the game.
Ronaldo certainly has not been missed tonight, and Bale is already showing he could be Madrid's main man moving forward. A goal last week, and now a goal and an assist today.
79'
Aday enters the game and replaces Pedro Porro.
What a save! Not for the first time tonight, Navas comes to Madrid’s rescue, pulling off a terrific save at his near post to deny Borja a second goal. The Costa Rican has done his chances of keeping Courtois out of this team no harm!
A final Girona substitution sees Porro replaced by Aday Benitez.
77'
L. Modrić enters the game and replaces Isco.
Here is that Madrid alteration. Modric is on, replacing Isco.
Minute
Description
75'
A poor free-kick from Granell causes some issues for Benzema, who slices his attempted clearance high into the air. Fortunately for Madrid, no Girona attacker is able to take advantage, as Navas gets under it to collect.
73'
Modric will soon be onto the pitch for Madrid, with the Croatia playmaker going through his final preparations. Lopetegui is handling the former Tottenham man with care, given his exploits in the World Cup.
71'
Aleix García enters the game and replaces Pere Pons.
Another change now for the hosts. Pons had a good first half, but it was his clumsy foul on Asensio that enabled Benzema to put Madrid ahead from the spot. Garcia is the midfielder’s replacement.
67'
Dani Carvajal gets yellow.
Carvajal becomes the first Madrid player to go into the book.
66'
Bale is forced into retaking the free-kick, and Madrid go short. The Welshman gets the ball back, cutting a low cross-cum-shot into the area, which Benzema could not get on the end of.
65'
Muniesa gets yellow.
A booking now for Muniesa, who dragged down Bale on the edge of Girona’s box, and Madrid now have another opportunity to extend their lead…
60'
R. Varane enters the game and replaces Marcelo.
Lopetegui has followed up that goal with a first change of the game. Marcelo, who was poor defensively throughout, has gone off, with Varane coming on. Nacho has moved over to left-back.
59'
G. Bale has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Isco.
GOOOOAALLLL!!! BRILLIANT FROM BALE! That’s some move from Madrid! Just a few seconds after Navas ensured Portu did not make it 2-2, Isco played a fantastic pass behind Girona’s defence and Bale made no mistake in racing clear and slotting home.
Isco’s pass was delightful, and Bale made sure to apply the finish it deserved.
58'
C. Stuani enters the game and replaces A. Lozano.
Almost! Wonderful play from Portu, who gets clear of his marker before driving towards goal. He’s one-on-one with Navas, but Madrid’s goalkeeper was off his line quickly, and managed to get their first.
Here is that change for Girona. Stuani is on, replacing Lozano, who played a crucial role in the hosts’ opener.
56'
After the frantic pace of the first half, the second half has so far been played at a slower tempo. Girona’s coaching staff are attempting to change that, however, by introducing Stuani, who has been warming up on the touchline.
54'
CLOSE! Borja again wins possession high upfield and slots a neat pass in behind Madrid’s line. Portu tries to get on the end of it, but Navas had reacted sharply.
52'
Penalty goal scored by K. Benzema for Real Madrid!
MADRID LEAD! Calm and collected from Benzema, who sprints up to the ball before rolling a neat finish into the bottom-right corner, sending Bono the wrong way.
51'
PENALTY TO MADRID! Asensio, once again, wins the foul - this time drawing Pons into a rash tackle - and Benzema now has the chance to put the visitors in front…
47'
Huge appeals for a penalty from Girona! Portu drives into the area and is blocked off by a combination of Nacho and Ramos, but the referee waves away the appeals. Moments later, Bale gets free at the other end, but slams his effort high into the crowd.
46'
Girona get proceedings back underway!
45'
HALF-TIME: GIRONA 1-1 REAL MADRID.
44'
Benzema powers down the left and finds Asensio, whose cross is overhit, but Bale recovers possession and tries to catch Bono out with a low effort. Girona’s goalkeeper, though, makes an easy stop.
43'
Girona are furious with the referee, who calls the play back for a foul on Borja, despite the fact that the midfielder had then managed to send a wonderful pass into the path of Portu, who looked to be away down the right.
41'
CHANCE! That’s a huge opportunity for Girona! Borja robs Nacho of possession deep in Madrid’s half, and manages to prod a pass into Lozano, but the forward’s touch is a heavy one, and Nacho recovers.
40'
That’s a lucky escape for Madrid, who were fortunate not to be further behind, in all truth. Five minutes remain of what has been a fascinating first half.
39'
Penalty goal scored by Sergio Ramos for Real Madrid!
PANENKA! No mistake from Ramos, who - having taken over penalty duties following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure - keeps his cool to loft a sublime finish into the net.
38'
PENALTY TO MADRID! Some superb last-ditch defending from Girona comes to nothing! First, Bono made an incredible save to deny Isco, before Benzema’s follow-up was blocked. Asensio picked up the loose ball, though, and drew a clumsy foul from Muniesa.
34'
Kroos' free-kick is a poor one, but Timor's clearance is not much better! Marcelo picks up the scraps and drills in a cross, but Ramos again heads wide of the goal.
33'
Pedro Porro gets yellow.
Poor from Porro, who lets Marcelo get the better of him and is forced into a foul.
31'
CLOSE! The set-piece is initially cleared, but Madrid keep up the pressure, with a cross worked into the area. Ramos is waiting for it but, under pressure from Muniesa, fails to hit the target.
30'
Again, Marcelo is caught out and Portu gets clear down Girona’s right. The striker drills a low ball into the area, but no Girona attacker managed to get there. Moments later, Madrid are back up the other end - Bale getting the better of Porro and the ball is eventually forced out for a corner.
29'
Madrid have just managed to gain a foothold now, but Kroos is cutting a frustrated figure, as there is simply no movement from Los Blancos’ forward line. Eventually, the ball is worked back out to Marcelo, but the full-back hammers a strike well wide of the target.
27'
Lopetegui is furious on the touchline, and most of that frustration seems to be directed at Marcelo, who is being given the run around by Lozano and Portu down Madrid’s left side.
25'
CLOSE! Madrid are so lucky! Portu races in behind Madrid’s line after combining with Lozano, and only a last-ditch clearance from Carvajal prevents Girona extending their lead.
21'
Wonderful skill from Girona skipper Granell, who jinks his way past two Madrid defenders before switching the play brilliantly. Porro whips in a dangerous cross, and Carvajal has no choice but to help it wide.
19'
Well, could another shock be on the cards at Municipal de Montilivi!? Girona have been excellent so far, and Madrid’s shaky defence was again exposed in the move that led to the goal. How will Madrid respond?
16'
Borja García has scored a goal for Girona!
GIRONA LEAD! Could it be happening again! Lozano drives down the right, as Madrid’s defenders appeal for a foul that never happened. The winger eventually drives a low shot goalwards that is blocked, but Borja is on hand to pick up the scraps on the edge of the box and drill a wonderful finish high into the net.
15'
MISS! Isco threads a throughball into Asensio’s path, and then rapidly picks up his pace to get on the end of the youngster’s cut-back. However, having done the hard work, Isco cannot direct his prodded finish into the net.
14'
Girona are certainly not afraid to get the ball down on this impeccable pitch and play, but the home side are definitely at their best when they go from back to front quickly, bypassing the midfield and putting Madrid’s back line under pressure.
12'
Kroos is already dominating this game from his position at the base of Madrid’s midfield, with the Germany international able to set the tempo with some slick, sharp passes. However, when Girona do break, Madrid’s high line is being exposed, and Portu has just gone down under pressure from Ramos. The referee waved away the penalty claims, though.
8'
NO GOAL! Benzema has the ball in the back of the net, having raced in behind Girona’s line and slotting home into the bottom-right corner, but it is correctly disallowed for offside.
6'
A bit of space opens up for Madrid on the counter, and Benzema quickly picks out Bale. The Wales forward uses his turn of pace to get the better of his marker and drill in a wonderful, flat cross, but Bono reacts sharply to quell the danger.
4'
Maybe not! A sloppy pass from Nacho sees Madrid put on the back foot, as Portu - who scored 11 LaLiga goals last term - looks to loft a ball over to Lozano. Navas, however, is out quickly to gather it in.
3'
A patient start from Madrid, who are already controlling possession and gradually looking to make their way up the pitch with sharp, near passes. This could well set the tone for this game...
1'
KICK-OFF! At the sound of Juan Martinez Munuera's whistle, Madrid - donning their famous all-white strip - get things running at Municipal de Montilivi.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Real Madrid's LaLiga clash with Girona!
Minnows Girona were the surprise package of last season, as they secured a 10th-placed finish in their debut season in Spain's top flight. Indeed, in the corresponding fixture last season, they ran out 2-1 winners over Los Blancos.
While Eusebio Sacristan's side got their season started with a draw against Real Valladolid last time out, Madrid got off to a winning start in Julen Lopetegui’s first LaLiga game in charge - goals from Dani Carvajal and Gareth Bale securing a 2-0 triumph.
TEAM NEWS - Girona (4-3-3): Bono; Pedro Porro, Juanpe, Bernardo Espinosa, Marc Muniesa; Pere Pons, David Timor, Alex Granell; Borja Garcia, Portu, Anthony Lozano.
TEAM NEWS - Girona substitutes: Aleix Garcia, Gorka Iraizoz, Adam Benitez, Paik Seung-Ho, Pedro Alcala, Patrick Roberts, Cristhian Stuani.
Girona's Stuani has scored five goals vs Real Madrid, his joint-most against an opponent in LaLiga alongside Getafe, but he starts on the bench today. He is joined there by Patrick Roberts, who is on loan from Premier League giants Manchester City.
TEAM NEWS - Real Madrid substitutes: Raphael Varane, Luka Modric, Lucas Vazquez, Marcos Llorente, Borja Mayoral, Dani Ceballos, Thibaut Courtois.
TEAM NEWS - Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Nacho Fernandez, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Toni Kroos, Casemiro; Gareth Bale, Isco, Marco Asensio; Karim Benzema.
The teams are making their way out onto the pitch, and kick-off is just a few moments away.
There is still no Courtois in Madrid’s starting XI, as Lopetegui makes just one change from the side that stated against Getafe last time out - Ceballos dropping out for Casemiro. Madrid have a host of stars to call on from the bench if needed, including Madrid, Vazquez and Varane.
An enthralling first half draws to a close in Girona. It was the hosts who took a deserved lead when Borja hammered home, but Ramos equalled from the penalty spot.
It sets up what should be an equally entertaining second half at Municipal de Montilivi, between two sides going all out to win. Madrid have been sloppy defensively, and in all honesty were fortunate not to have conceded more before their equaliser.
An ultimately comfortable win for Madrid, as goals from Ramos, Benzema and Bale make it two victories from two games for Lopetegui.
It means that Los Blancos join Barcelona on six points at the top of the standings, as LaLiga’s table starts to take on a rather familiar look.
That’s all for now. Until next time, thank you and goodbye!
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