Girona striker Taty Castellanos on Tuesday became the first player to score four goals in one game against Real Madrid in La Liga since 1947.
The forward put on a lethal display to stun the champions 4-2 and virtually extinguish any remaining hopes they had of defending their title against rivals Barcelona.
Castellanos, on loan from MLS club New York City, scored two goals in both halves to secure Girona an impressive victory over manager Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Photo: EPA-EFE
The last player to score four against Madrid in La Liga was Real Oviedo’s Esteban Echavarria in 1947 although current Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski managed the feat in the UEFA Champions League in 2013 with Borussia Dortmund.
Castellanos broke the deadlock with a poacher’s header and drilled the second through Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin’s legs.
The forward gave Madrid defender Eder Militao nightmares with his movement.
He pounced again after just 36 seconds in the second half to complete his hat-trick, and easily escaped Militao to nod in the fourth from close range.
Castellanos departed to a standing ovation when he was replaced in the 72nd minute.
“It was a dream night, we had a great game against one of the best teams in the world, it was a dream night,” he said. “I never imagined this, [I’m] enjoying it with our fans, with the people who have sent me support — my family, people in Argentina, they are always supporting me and that’s fundamental.”
The Argentine striker won the MLS Golden Boot in 2021 with 19 goals in 32 matches, but has not been capped by his country.
A year ago, Castellanos scored four goals for New York City against Real Salt Lake, but said his accomplishment against Madrid was on a different level.
“Obviously they are different days, it was a dream to score against Madrid and to score four — you can’t even imagine it,” he said. “I’m very happy for everything, for the fans, for the lads.”
Castellanos now has 11 goals in 29 appearances in La Liga this season.
He made headlines in Spain for a miss when through on goal during Girona’s 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou earlier this month. He shut down his social media accounts in the aftermath amid criticism from fans.
“Taty was very good apart from the goals when it came to his work,” Girona coach Michel said. “I’m happy for him, because after his game against Barca, and his miss, he shut his social media down.”
“I told him to be calm, that it was his first season in Europe,” Michel said.
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