La Liga title race: Barcelona stunned by Girona

KATHMANDU: Barcelona missed a golden chance to return to the top of the La Liga table after suffering a dramatic 2–1 defeat to Girona in the Catalan derby at Estadi Montilivi on Saturday night.

The Catalan giants were left to rue a costly missed penalty by teenage star Lamine Yamal, whose spot-kick in first-half stoppage time struck the post and bounced away, denying Barcelona a crucial lead.

Both sides started aggressively. Girona created an early chance inside the opening minute, but Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García produced a sharp save. Barcelona responded with several openings of their own, with Yamal twice going close before his penalty miss.

Barcelona finally broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when defender Jules Koundé delivered a precise cross for teenage centre-back Pau Cubarsí, who headed home his first-ever league goal for the club.

The lead, however, lasted barely two minutes. Girona midfielder Thomas Lemar equalised in the 61st minute after being set up by Vladyslav Vanat, bringing the home crowd to life.

Drama peaked in the 86th minute when substitute Fran Beltrán fired home the winner.

Barcelona players protested, claiming a foul on Koundé in the build-up, but after a VAR review, the goal stood.

Girona were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when substitute Joel Roca was sent off for a reckless challenge on Yamal. Despite the late advantage, Barcelona failed to find an equaliser.

The defeat leaves Barcelona trailing their title rivals Real Madrid by two points in the title race.

It was Barcelona’s second straight defeat, following a heavy 4–0 loss to Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

For Girona, the victory ended a three-match winless run and lifted them to 12th place in the table, moving five points clear of the relegation zone — a massive morale boost in their fight for survival.