Luka Modric scored a beautiful long-range goal in Real Madrid's 2-0 home win against Girona on Sunday that moved the defending champion level on points in the Spanish league with leader Barcelona.
While his minutes have lessened in the last two seasons following the arrival of Jude Bellingham and exceptional performances from Federico Valverde, Modric showed he is still a force to be reckoned with.
After arch-nemesis Barcelona beat Las Palmas 2-0 on Saturday, Los Blancos needed to match that to draw level again at the top of the pile, and the Croatian legend was crucial to Real Madrid doing just that.
The veteran midfielder chested the ball down in the 41st minute before firing a right-footed shot into the top corner on the half-volley, his effort swerving powerfully into the back of the net from 25 yards.
'To score a goal like that, you must keep shooting,' Modric said. 'I was by myself, controlled the ball, struck it well, and thank God it went in. It was a nice goal and it's always special to score at home in front of the fans at the Bernabeu.'
Modric received a huge ovation from the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
'I'm very grateful and proud of the affection that Madrid fans show me every day,' he said. 'Today they've done it again and I can only say 'thank you.''
Vinicius Junior scored Madrid's second goal after an assist from Kylian Mbappé in the 83rd to leave Madrid with the same 54 points as Barcelona, which won 2-0 at Las Palmas on Saturday. Barcelona leads on the head-to-head tiebreaker against Madrid. Atletico Madrid is one point behind the two rivals. Diego Simeone's team won 3-0 at Valencia on Saturday.
Modric made his ninth start in 25 league matches for Madrid in a season in which the 39-year-old has played a few minutes off the bench. The former world player of the year scored his fourth goal this season with his neat strike to put Madrid ahead at the Bernabeu.
'Modric is a football gift,' Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. 'We've had the luck of having a legend with us.'
Vinicius scored his first league goal since November from inside the area after a nice through ball by Mbappe, who on Wednesday scored a hat trick to lead Madrid to a 3-1 win over Manchester City at the Bernabeu in the Champions League playoffs.
Ancelotti rested a few regular starters following the City match at the Bernabeu, including central defender Antonio Rüdiger and Federico Valverde, the midfielder who for the first time this season didn't play any minutes.
Defender David Alaba made his first start in more than a year following a knee injury, while Lucas Vázquez was back in the lineup after missing a few games to nurse a left hamstring issue.
Modric had also started in the league draw at Osasuna last weekend as Ancelotti rotated his squad for the Champions League playoff games against City.
While his minutes have lessened in the last two seasons following the arrival of Jude Bellingham and exceptional performances from Federico Valverde, Modric showed he is still a force to be reckoned with.
After arch-nemesis Barcelona beat Las Palmas 2-0 on Saturday, Los Blancos needed to match that to draw level again at the top of the pile, and the Croatian legend was crucial to Real Madrid doing just that.
The veteran midfielder chested the ball down in the 41st minute before firing a right-footed shot into the top corner on the half-volley, his effort swerving powerfully into the back of the net from 25 yards.
'To score a goal like that, you must keep shooting,' Modric said. 'I was by myself, controlled the ball, struck it well, and thank God it went in. It was a nice goal and it's always special to score at home in front of the fans at the Bernabeu.'
Modric received a huge ovation from the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
'I'm very grateful and proud of the affection that Madrid fans show me every day,' he said. 'Today they've done it again and I can only say 'thank you.''
Vinicius Junior scored Madrid's second goal after an assist from Kylian Mbappé in the 83rd to leave Madrid with the same 54 points as Barcelona, which won 2-0 at Las Palmas on Saturday. Barcelona leads on the head-to-head tiebreaker against Madrid. Atletico Madrid is one point behind the two rivals. Diego Simeone's team won 3-0 at Valencia on Saturday.
Modric made his ninth start in 25 league matches for Madrid in a season in which the 39-year-old has played a few minutes off the bench. The former world player of the year scored his fourth goal this season with his neat strike to put Madrid ahead at the Bernabeu.
'Modric is a football gift,' Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. 'We've had the luck of having a legend with us.'
Vinicius scored his first league goal since November from inside the area after a nice through ball by Mbappe, who on Wednesday scored a hat trick to lead Madrid to a 3-1 win over Manchester City at the Bernabeu in the Champions League playoffs.
Ancelotti rested a few regular starters following the City match at the Bernabeu, including central defender Antonio Rüdiger and Federico Valverde, the midfielder who for the first time this season didn't play any minutes.
Defender David Alaba made his first start in more than a year following a knee injury, while Lucas Vázquez was back in the lineup after missing a few games to nurse a left hamstring issue.
Modric had also started in the league draw at Osasuna last weekend as Ancelotti rotated his squad for the Champions League playoff games against City.
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