Barcelona 2-1 Girona: Defender scores stoppage-time winner as Flick sees red in dramatic Catalan derby
Barcelona snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over Girona at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday night, with Ronald Araujo’s injury-time finish restoring Hansi Flick’s side to the top of La Liga.
The Uruguayan defender was sent on with only a few minutes remaining, and he was on hand to turn in Frenkie de Jong’s cross in the 92nd minute and reverse Barcelona’s two-game losing run.
Pedri had given the hosts a deserved lead midway through the first half, driving laterally through a sea of bodies in the Girona penalty area, before releasing a low shot that rolled across the box into the bottom right corner.
But seven minutes later Girona hit back, Axel Witsel reacting to Arnau Martinez’s header with an overhead kick that flew past Wojciech Szczesny and into the far corner.
The match had opened with both teams standing still for 15 seconds in protest at La Liga’s controversial decision to stage Barcelona’s December fixture against Villarreal in Miami.
It was part of a league-wide demonstration organised by the Spanish footballer’s union (AFE), although the Barcelona players’ involvement carried particular weight seeing as they were protesting against their club’s hierarchy.
Once play resumed, the tempo was relentless. After the opening exchange of goals Marcus Rashford rattled the crossbar with a free-kick, and in the second period Fermin Lopez and Pau Cubarsi nearly put the home side in front.
The latter had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for a foul by Eric Garcia in the buildup.
Girona had a few nice moments with Vladyslav Vanat and Portu both going close and then Bryan Gil blazing over when well placed.
In stoppage time Flick’s protestations earned him a second yellow card, meaning he will miss next weekend’s clásico.
The match seemed destined to end in a draw but Araujo was on the alert when De Jong broke down the right, the defender running onto the low cross to steer home.
