In Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Girona at home on Sunday, Luka Modric scored a stunning long-range goal to tie leader Barcelona for the most points in the Spanish league.

Despite playing fewer minutes in the past two seasons due to Jude Bellingham’s arrival and Federico Valverde’s outstanding performances, Modric proved he is still a formidable opponent.

Los Blancos needed to match that to tie the top of the table after arch-enemy Barcelona defeated Las Palmas 2-0 on Saturday, and the Croatian great was essential to Real Madrid achieving that.

In the 41st minute, the seasoned midfielder chested the ball down before launching a right-footed shot into the top corner on the half volley, which veered forcefully into the net from 25 yards out.

“You have to keep shooting to score a goal like that,” Modric remarked. I managed the ball while I was alone, hit it well, and thank God it went in. It was a good goal, and scoring in front of the Bernabeu’s supporters at home is always wonderful.

The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium crowd gave Modric a standing ovation.

“I’m really appreciative and proud of the love that Madrid supporters give me every day,” he remarked. “They did it again today, and I just have one thing to say: thank you.”

In the 83rd minute, Vinicius Junior scored Madrid’s second goal following a Kylian Mbappé pass, giving Madrid the same 54 points as Barcelona, who defeated them 2-0 in Las Palmas on Saturday. Barcelona is ahead of Madrid in the head-to-head tiebreaker. The two opponents are one point ahead of Atletico Madrid. On Saturday, Diego Simeone’s squad defeated Valencia 3-0.

Despite playing little minutes off the bench this season, Modric made his ninth start in 25 league games for Real Madrid. At the Bernabeu, the former World Player of the year gave Madrid the lead with a deft strike that was his fourth goal of the season.

“Modric is a gift for football,” Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, stated. “We are fortunate to have a legend on our side.”

After a wonderful through pass from Mbappe, who on Wednesday scored a hat-trick to lead Madrid to a 3-1 victory over Manchester City at the Bernabeu in the Champions League playoffs, Vinicius scored his first league goal since November from inside the box.