Barcelona squandered the chance to reclaim top spot in La Liga after a heated Catalan derby defeat to Girona. A missed penalty from Lamine Yamal compounded their misery.
Hansi Flick’s side now sit two points behind rivals Real Madrid. Substitute Fran Beltran struck in the 86th minute at Estadio Montilivi to seal victory.
Barcelona protested in vain, believing Jules Kounde was fouled before the winner. However, after a VAR check, the goal stood.
Girona were reduced to ten men deep into stoppage time. Yet Barcelona could not capitalise and suffered their third league loss to their regional rivals.
Title race tightens as Barcelona’s woes deepen
The defeat marks back-to-back losses for Barcelona. They were thrashed 4-0 by Atletico Madrid days earlier in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.
The contest began fiercely, with Girona forcing an early save from Joan Garcia. Meanwhile, Barcelona wasted clear chances, with Yamal missing twice before striking the post from the spot.
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Pau Cubarsi finally broke the deadlock one minute before the hour mark, as his looping header from Kounde’s cross delivered his first league goal.
Girona responded instantly with Thomas Lemar tapping in from Vladyslav Vanat’s delivery. Later, a potential third was ruled out after a foul on the goalkeeper.
The win lifts Girona to 12th, thereby easing relegation concerns. Barcelona now risk falling five points adrift if Real Madrid defeat Osasuna.
Tags: Girona, Barcelona, Catalan, Lamine Yamal, La Liga, Thomas Lemar, Vladyslav Vanat, Jules Kounde, Pau Curbasi, Joan Garcia, Osasuna, Fran Beltran, Hansi Flick, Estadio Montilivi.
