Barcelona leapfrogged Real Madrid to go top of La Liga after beating Girona 2-1 in injury time. The home side took an early lead when Yamine Lamal fed the ball from the right into Pedri. The Spanish midfielder dribbled with the ball across the penalty area, before using his left foot to stroke the ball home low into the corner. Yet within seven minutes, Girona were level with a spectacular bicycle kick by Axel Witsel.
Encouarged by this, Girona skipped up the gears, forcing Wojciech Szczesny into making a fine save to deny Vladyslav Vanat. A minute later, Szczesny made an even better stop to deflect a Portu effort onto the post. In a thoroughly entertaining first half, Marcus Rashford rattled the Girona crossbar with a long-range free-kick.
Yet it was Girona who really should have been leading. They squandered a further opportunity when Bryan Gil missed the target when it looked far easier to score after being clean through. Barcelona would have been relieved to get to the break level. Eric Garcia had a goal ruled out for a push on Hugo Rincon. It was generally Barcelona who were the more dominant in the second-half, but they couldn't transform that into a win. Their frustration was compounded when their manager Hansi Flick was given a red card. Yet right at the death, substitute Ronald Araujo scored a winner with a great finish.
Barcelona v Girona - Match Statistics
Barcelona
68%
27
9
11
3
0
Match Highlights
Barcelona Player Ratings
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GK: Wojciech Szczesny - 8/10
Made two excellent first-half saves to deny Girona from taking control of the game.
RB: Jules Kounde - 6/10
Had to use his experience to help steady the ship.
CB: Eric Garcia - 6/10
Was caused some problems by Girona, who tried to take the game to Barca.
CB: Pau Cubarsi - 6/10
Not always a comfortable afternoon for the defender, as Girona showed no fear.
LB: Alejandro Balde - 6/10
Looked ok in spells, but the entire Barca back line looked vulnerable at times.
RM: Pedri - 7/10
Started the game in his usual dominant and classy manner and scored a fine goal.
CM: Frenkie de Jong - 7/10
Started well enough, but Girona quickly started to dominate.
LM: Marc Casado - 6/10
Showed some good moments, but not able to take the game to Girona as much as he would have liked.
RW: Lamine Yamal - 7/10
Influential if not back to his rip-roaring best after injury.
CF: Toni Fernandez - 5/10
Not involved as much as he would have liked and was substituted at half-time.
LW: Marcus Rashford - 6.5/10
Showed his set-piece prowess, rattling the Girona crossbar with a 30-yard free-kick.
SUB: Fermin Lopez - 6.5/10
Always ready to spring into action even if it didn't quite go his way.
SUB: Roony Bardghji - 7/10
Brought on for Yamal for the last 25 minutes. Looked lively.
SUB: Andreas Christensen - 6/10
Not really able to influence the game.
SUB: Gerard Martin - 6/10
Came on for the last quarter of an hour.
SUB: Ronald Araujo - 7/10
Replaced Casado for the last eight minutes and scored a well-taken injury-time winner.
Girona Player Ratings
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GK: Paulo Gazzaniga - 7/10
Like his opposite number, he made some impressive stops.
RB: Hugo Rincon - 6.5/10
Could perhaps count himself fortunate to have been adjudged to have been fouled when Eric Garcia had a goal disallowed.
CB: Vitor Reis - 6.5/10
Looked composed in the first period, but was required far more often in the second.
CB: Daley Blind - 6.5/10
Was required to use all his experience to keep Girona in the game.
LB: Alex Moreno - 7/10
Diligent and energetic performance from the full-back.
RM: Bryan Gil - 6.5/10
Another in the Girona ranks who missed a guilt-edged chance to score.
CM: Arnau MartÃnez - 7/10
Looked to get on the ball and help things tick over for the visitors.
CM: Axel Witsel - 7/10
Showed a great ability to improvise with a wonderfully taken overhead kick to put Girona level.
LM: Joel Roca - 7/10
Played an important part in Girona's strong attacking performance in the first half.
FD: Portu - 6.5/10
Would have been disappointed not to have helped Girona take the lead with a great first-half opportunity.
FD: Vladyslav Vanat - 6.5/10
Like his striking partner Portu, had a very presentable opportunity to score in the first half.
SUB: Jhon Salis - 6/10
Brought on with 27 minutes left in an effort to give Girona some fresh impetus.
SUB: Viktor Tsyhankov - 6.5/10
Worked well after coming on for Portu.
SUB: Cristhian Stuani - 6/10
The veteran Uruguayan was thrown into the action up front with 22 minutes left.
SUB: Yaser Asprilla - 6/10
Part of a double change with Stuani as Gironi looked to claim a point.
SUB: Lass Kourouma - 6/10
Given the last 10 minutes, as Girona looked to consolidate.