Overview
- Girona, which won Monday at Montilivi, moved to 37 points and opened an eight-point gap over the drop zone.
- The winner came in first-half stoppage time when Pau Navarro turned Arnau Martínez’s low cross into his own net.
- Míchel’s team controlled the opening period with roughly 63% possession and more shots and corners than Villarreal.
- Striker Vladyslav Vanat went off after about 10–12 minutes with a muscle issue, and later knocks forced off Daley Blind and Arnau Martínez, creating short-term selection doubts for the Bernabéu.
- Vitor Reis and Blind led a strong defensive display that snuffed out Villarreal’s best looks, while the visitors’ poor away run persisted with just one win in their last eight road games.