Fran Beltran struck an 86th-minute winner as Barcelona squandered the opportunity to climb back to the top of LaLiga, falling to a 2-1 defeat away at 10-man Girona on Monday.
After Thomas Lemar had wiped out Pau Cubarsi’s opener, the contest looked destined to end level. However, substitute Beltran emerged to inflict a major setback on Hansi Flick’s side in the title race.
A fast-paced start saw both teams waste excellent openings, but Barcelona were handed the clearest chance to go ahead in first-half stoppage time.
Dani Olmo was brought down in the box by Daley Blind, and Lamine Yamal stepped up to take the penalty. His effort, though, crashed against the right-hand post.
The Blaugrana eventually took the lead in the 59th minute when Jules Kounde delivered an inviting cross that Cubarsi expertly headed beyond Paulo Gazzaniga.
Their advantage proved short-lived, lasting just two minutes, as Girona responded through Lemar, who converted from close range following impressive work by Vladyslav Vanat.
Joan Garcia then produced a fine stop to keep out Ivan Martin’s right-footed attempt before quickly recovering to deny Joel Roca, who had broken in behind Alejandro Balde.
Girona claimed all three points four minutes from time when Beltran fired into the bottom-left corner. The strike was confirmed after a VAR review, despite Barcelona’s protests that Kounde had been fouled earlier in the move by Claudio Echeverri.
Ronald Araujo nearly rescued a point in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time but failed to hit the target. Girona had to navigate the closing moments with 10 players after Roca was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Yamal, yet they held firm, leaving Barcelona two points adrift of Real Madrid.
**Data Debrief: Barcelona pay the penalty**
Flick appeared visibly frustrated at the final whistle as his side failed to make their dominance count in an entertaining encounter at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi.
Barcelona amassed 27 shots worth 2.93 expected goals (xG), though only four tested the goalkeeper. Girona, meanwhile, generated 2.76 xG from 13 attempts at Garcia’s goal.
Yamal also became the first player to complete 100 dribbles — now 101 from 202 attempts — across Europe’s top five leagues this season, but he could not convert from the penalty spot. In fact, no side has missed more spot-kicks in LaLiga this campaign than Barcelona (three from seven), level with Valencia (three from five).
