Atletico coach Diego Simeone was able to celebrate his 700th match in charge of the club with a 2-1 La Liga comeback win over Alaves on Saturday.
Carlos Protesoni and Kike Garcia scored two goals in two minutes in the final stages but Real Madrid held on.
Jude Bellingham scored the opener and played a part in Madrid's next three goals, two scored by Vinicius Junior, finding his best form at the business end of the season.
Eric Garcia put Girona ahead after just four minutes at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria before Jon Guridi levelled for the home side eight minutes later.