LaLiga: Barcelona Wins 2-1 Against Girona with Late Goal

Barcelona edges Girona 2-1 in dramatic la liga encounter

Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Girona marked their third win in six competitive home matches against Los Blanquivermells, propelling them to the top of the La Liga table, ahead of Real Madrid.

The hosts struggled to cope with Girona's solidity, and it took them nearly 20 minutes to face a sustained period of Girona's attacking threat...

Ronald Araujo's stoppage-time goal sealed a thrilling 2-1 victory for Barcelona against Girona, marking their third win in six competitive home matches against Los Blanquivermells. This win propelled Barcelona to the top of the La Liga table, surpassing Real Madrid.

From the opening whistle, Barcelona asserted their dominance, with Marcus Rashford's early free-kick testing Girona's goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga and Lamine Yamal wreaking havoc on the opposite wing. Barcelona's intense pressure ultimately led to Pedri scoring the opener with a stunning reverse shot, only for Axel Witsel to equalize with a breathtaking bicycle kick. However, Araújo's decisive goal in the 93rd minute handed Barcelona the three points.

Girona's 5-1-4 formation successfully countered Barcelona's early dominance, but it couldn't prevent them from conceding the opening goal. Pedri's brilliant work created space, and his reverse shot rolled in off the post, marking a record 47th consecutive game with a goal scored by the club.

The hosts struggled to cope with Girona's solidity, and it took them nearly 20 minutes to face a sustained period of Girona's attacking threat. The deadlock was eventually broken when Axel Witsel, the oldest player on the pitch, produced a stunning overhead kick to equalize from a corner, showcasing his impressive athleticism.

Girona's threat was palpable as they counter-attacked, with Wojciech Szczesny making a crucial save to deny them the opening goal. Portu's shot then crashed against the post after exploiting Barcelona's high defensive line. Girona's goalkeeper Gazzaniga continued his heroics, stretching to tip Frenkie de Jong's shot around the post as the match became increasingly frenetic.

The intensity of the game was matched only by the noise levels in the stands, with Barcelona dominating possession but Girona's counter-attacks causing concern. A Rashford free-kick struck the woodwork, but the hosts were in control as halftime approached. Despite their dominance, Girona remained a threat, with Bryan Gil and Axel Witsel squandering promising chances to score.

The second half kicked off with Fermin Lopez's long-range shot, as Barcelona pushed the tempo. However, Girona swiftly countered, and Bryan Gil again came close to scoring, showcasing their intent to challenge the hosts.

As the match approached its hour mark, both teams continued to battle in heavy rain, each pushing forward in search of a breakthrough. Barcelona thought they had taken the lead through Pau Cubarsi, but the goal was disallowed due to an earlier infringement, keeping the score level.

Marcus Rashford's miss from close range was astonishing, as he somehow sent the ball wide from just three yards out. He soon had Gazzaniga's gloves tested again, as the hosts poured forward in search of a winner. Despite their dominance, Girona's goalkeeper continued to deny Barcelona.

As the match entered its final stages, Girona's approach shifted to counter-attacking, while Barcelona continued to probe their defense. The visitors earned admiration for their resilience in the face of relentless pressure, and the whistles from the stands acknowledged their impressive defensive display. Ultimately, it was Barcelona's persistence that paid off, as Araujo's stoppage-time winner sealed the win.

FT: #BarçaGirona 2-1

🤯 A LAST-MINUTE goal for the hosts steals the win!#LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/7ufiucnuV6

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) October 18, 2025

Hansi Flick's stoppage-time red card for dissent only added fuel to the fire, with fans already seething. However, the mood dramatically shifted when Ronald Araújo scored a thrilling 93rd-minute winner.

This win marked a significant turnaround, ending Girona's 12-league game losing streak when conceding the first goal - a streak that began in March against Barcelona.