Girona Shock Barcelona in Catalan Derby as Yamal Misses Penalty
Barcelona’s hopes of returning to the top of La Liga suffered a major blow as they fell 2-1 to Girona in a fiery Catalan derby at Estadio Montilivi.
The visitors, led by Hansi Flick, now trail arch-rivals Real Madrid by two points in the title race after substitute Fran Beltrán struck in the 86th minute to snatch all three points, easing relegation fears for the hosts.
Barcelona had thought defender Jules Koundé was fouled in the buildup to the winner, but a brief VAR check confirmed the goal. The home side was reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when substitute Joel Roca brought down Lamine Yamal with a lunging challenge, yet Barcelona could not find an equaliser.
The defeat marked Barcelona’s third league loss to regional rivals and a second consecutive setback following a 4-0 Copa del Rey semi-final hammering by Atletico Madrid. The Catalan side struggled throughout, spurning multiple chances, with Yamal missing twice from close range and smashing a penalty off the post in first-half stoppage time.
Girona’s response was swift. Pau Cubarsi’s header put Barcelona ahead on 59 minutes, only for Thomas Lemar to level two minutes later. The hosts nearly added a third soon after, but a controversial shove on the line was spotted, keeping the score at 1-1 until Beltrán’s late strike sealed victory.
The win ends Girona’s three-game winless run, lifting them to 12th in the table, while Barcelona’s league-winning streak halts at three games. Real Madrid could extend their advantage to five points after visiting Osasuna on Saturday, before Barcelona host Levante on Sunday.
