Valentin Castellanos shocked reigning La Liga champions Real Madrid last night, with four goals, as newly promoted Girona beat Ancelotti's side 4-2.
The number nine headed in Miguel Gutierrez's cross in the 12th minute to open the scoring and then latched onto Arnau Martinez's long ball to slot the ball through Thibaut Courtois's legs in the 24th minute. Vinicius Junior pulled a goal back for the away side before half time, but straight after the interval Castellanos scored a tap in to get his hat-trick. His final goal came in the 62 minute as he rose above Eder Militao to head in Girona's fourth. Lucas Vazquez added a late consolation goal for the Los Blancos, but it was the team in 9th place who went away with the three points.
After the game the Argentine striker spoke about how satisfied he was with his performance.
"It was a dream night,"
"I never imagined this, [I'm] enjoying it with the fans, with the people who have sent me support"
The 24 year old started his professional career, progressing out of the academy at Universad de Chile. He then made a loan move to Uruguayan second tier side Torque in 2017 and helped the team gain promotion to the top flight by winning the Segunda Division.
After making his switch to Uruguay permanent, he was shortly signed by MLS side New York City in July 2018 on an initial loan deal. In his first full season for the Cityzens he scored 11 goals and got seven assists in 30 matches.
The youngster struggled in 2020 and only scored six goals with three assists in the MLS, but completed a record-breaking campaign last season, becoming the fifth MLS player to score in the first four games of the season back to back.
He ended 2022 with 19 goals and eight assists, as he received the MLS golden boot and his goals helped New York City to win the MLS Cup trophy.
Last summer, a host of European clubs were interested in the forward including Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers, but it was Spanish minnows Girona who gave him a chance on loan.
His man of the match performance last night , capped off a record - breaking night, as Girona beat Real Madrid for the first time since 2017.
He also became just the second player to ever score four goals against Real Madrid, following Robert Lewandowski's feat for Borussia Dortmund in 2012. It was the first time that any player for a Spanish club had scored four against Real Madrid since 1947.
The former Torque player is Girona's top scorer in La Liga with 11 goals in 29 matches, and he has been instrumental to his side's impressive return to the top flight this season.
If Girona do not make his move permanent in the summer, then it clear he will have many potential suitors and we could see the Premier League as his next destination.
Comments