Taty Castellanos: Girona striker writes history against Real Madrid

What do Real Madrid and Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake City have in common? They are the only two teams against whom Taty Castellanos has scored four goals in a single match. Castellanos scored four goals against Real Madrid on Tuesday (4-2), becoming the first player to do so in LaLiga history since December 1947 when Esteban Echevarria scored five goals in Real Oviedo's 7-1 win over Los Blancos. 

Across all competitions, the last player to bank four goals against Real Madrid was a certain Robert Lewandowski. The Polish national team striker singlehandedly dismantled Real Madrid on Borussia Dortmund's path to the 2013 Champions League final (4-0). Only one other player has managed to score four goals or more against Real Madrid since 1947: Diego Milito. Milito scored four goals for Real Zaragoza in his club's 6-1 win in the first leg of the 2005/06 Copa Del Rey semifinals. 

Castellanos, who was the Transfermarkt MLS Player of the Season in 2021, has only managed to score four or more goals once in his entire career. That was against Real's namesake, MLS side Real Salt Lake on April 17, 2022 when he scored four in New York City FC's 6-1 win. 

Castellanos on loan from NYCFC - Girona striker finally finds his stride in LaLiga

The four goals scored by Castellanos will be welcoming news on both sides of the Atlantic. The 24-year-old Argentine striker joined Girona on loan from fellow City Group club NYCFC last summer. That deal is set to expire on July 1, 2023. But after a slow start, the Argentine has now scored 11 goals in 29 LaLiga games for Girona, and the performances against Real Madrid should open the door for Girona extending the loan or another European club trying to sign the forward.