Zalgiris Edges Real Madrid in Thrilling EuroLeague Contest

Kaunas, Lithuania – Zalgiris Kaunas secured a narrow 87-85 victory over Real Madrid in a tightly contested EuroLeague matchup on Friday, March 20, 2026. The game came down to the wire, with Sylvain Francisco’s clutch free throws and a missed game-winning three-pointer by Mario Hezonja sealing the win for Zalgiris.

Key Moments of the Game

With just three seconds remaining, Sylvain Francisco calmly sank two free throws to give Zalgiris an 87-85 lead. Real Madrid had one final opportunity to tie or win the game, but Mario Hezonja’s three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short, securing the victory for the home team.

Player Performances

Sylvain Francisco led Zalgiris with a stellar performance, finishing with 20 points and 5 assists. Moses Wright contributed 16 points, while Nigel Williams-Goss recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists.

For Real Madrid, Mario Hezonja led the scoring with 18 points. Walter Tavares also had a strong showing, posting a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Teo Maledon and Trey Lyles added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Real Madrid’s Struggles on the Road

This loss marks Real Madrid’s 11th defeat in EuroLeague play this season when playing away from home. The team struggled to find consistency on the road, impacting their overall standing in the league.

Looking Ahead

Zalgiris will look to build on this momentum as they continue their EuroLeague campaign. Real Madrid will aim to address their away game struggles and return to form in their upcoming matches.

Source: Eurohoops.net

Source: El País