Lucas Vazquez scored in the 92nd minute to send Real Madrid to the top of La Liga with a 1-0 victory against Alaves on Thursday.
After this season’s surprise packages were held to a 1-1 tie against Real Betis earlier in the day, Madrid leapfrogged Girona to take the top place.
Before the Spanish giants’ defender Nacho Fernandez was sent off 10 minutes after the interval, Alaves had tormented Madrid.
With the clock in second-half injury time, it seemed like Girona would lead the Spanish top division into 2024 as a result of Madrid’s draw, but the 32-year-old Vazquez had other intentions.
Toni Kroos, an experienced German midfielder, whipped in a corner, and Vazquez opened his account for the season with a free header, as Los Blancos seize the lead on goal difference before La Liga breaks until January 2.
In Seville, Artem Dovbyk’s first-half penalty, the Ukrainian’s 11th of the season, seemed to put Girona on track for a fourth consecutive victory and ninth in their previous ten games.
However, German Pezzella, a World Cup champion with Argentina, equalized with two minutes remaining as Betis stretched their undefeated streak to 13 games, nine of which were draws.
Girona, a team owned in part by Manchester City’s owners, lost for the fourth time in 18 games this season.
Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga made a brilliant double save from Willian Jose and Ayoze Perez in the first half before the visitors scored after Aitor Ruibal fouled Savio in the box.
Dovbyk stepped up and confidently rolled in the penalty kick, extending his impressive first season in Spain.
Girona, who are attempting an unexpected championship challenge in just their fourth season in the top division, failed to clear a late corner, and Pezzella blasted the loose ball past Gazzaniga.
In other news, Real Mallorca defeated Osasuna 3-2 for their third victory of the season, moving them five points clear of the relegation zone.