SOCCER: Barcelona stunned by Girona 2-1 to leave Real Madrid top of LaLiga

GIRONA, Spain – Girona produced a thrilling comeback to beat Barcelona 2-1 at Montilivi Stadium on Monday, leaving last season’s champions trailing Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga.

Barcelona looked threatening early, hitting the woodwork twice in the first half. Raphinha’s strike clanged off the post, and Lamine Yamal saw a penalty saved in added time after Dani Olmo was fouled inside the box.

The deadlock was broken in the 59th minute when Pau Cubarsi rose to head home Jules Kounde’s cross from a short corner. But Girona responded instantly, with Thomas Lemar converting from close range three minutes later following Vladyslav Vanat’s cross, restoring parity.

The decisive moment came in the 87th minute as Fran Beltran slotted home Joel Roca’s pass, sending the Montilivi crowd into ecstasy. Barcelona pushed hard for an equalizer but could not break through, even after Roca was sent off in stoppage time for a reckless foul on Yamal.

With the defeat, Barcelona remain on 58 points, two behind Real Madrid, and have now lost consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since October.

“We lacked a bit of everything. We need to be self-critical,” Cubarsi told DAZN. “After my goal, they scored very quickly to equalize. We got them back into the game too quickly. We need to improve on those goals they score right after we take the lead. Keep your head down and improve.”

Barcelona Dominate Possession but Lack Finishing

Hansi Flick welcomed back Frenkie De Jong and Raphinha from injury after missing last week’s 4-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg loss to Atletico Madrid. Barcelona controlled possession early, but their finishing deserted them. Raphinha dragged a shot wide, and Yamal was denied from point-blank range by Girona keeper Paulo Gazzaniga after a sharp counterattack.

Girona were content to sit deep and exploit Barcelona’s high defensive line, with Bryan Gil repeatedly testing Jules Kounde down the left. Gil’s pace created several chances, setting up Vanat twice before the break, though Joan Garcia made excellent saves. Vanat also squandered a gilt-edged opportunity in the 35th minute.

Yamal’s missed penalty in added time kept the first half scoreless, leaving the match wide open. Barcelona finally broke through when Cubarsi headed Kounde’s short-corner delivery into the top-right corner in the 59th minute. But Girona immediately equalized through Lemar, shifting momentum. Garcia kept Barcelona at bay with two one-handed saves from Vanat and Roca.

Girona’s winner came in the 87th minute, as substitute Beltran calmly slotted Roca’s square pass into the bottom-left corner.

The victory lifts Girona to 12th place with 29 points, ending a three-match winless streak, while Barcelona must reflect on missed chances and a costly defeat that could impact their title ambitions.

-Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters