Lamine Yamal Penalty Miss Costs Barcelona in 2-1 La Liga Defeat to Girona
Barcelona’s bid to reclaim top spot in La Liga suffered a painful setback on Sunday night as they fell 2-1 to Catalan neighbours Girona at Montilivi Stadium. A Lamine Yamal penalty miss on the stroke of half-time proved the defining moment, denying Barca the early lead that could have altered the course of the match entirely. The defeat left Barcelona second in the table, two points behind Real Madrid, and piled further pressure on coach Hansi Flick following a torrid week for the defending champions.
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Lamine Yamal Penalty Miss Sets the Tone in the First Half
The teenage winger, who has been one of the brightest stars in European football this season, stepped up to take the spot kick in first-half stoppage time only to see his effort strike the post. It was a moment that shifted the momentum of the game before the break even arrived. Barcelona had been the brighter side up to that point, but the missed penalty handed Girona a psychological lift they carried into the dressing room and ultimately converted into points. For Yamal personally, it was a rare and visible miss from a player who rarely shows any weakness in front of goal.
Cubarsi Header Gives Barca Hope Before Girona Storm Back
Barcelona did eventually break the deadlock 14 minutes into the second half, and it came in style. Pau Cubarsi met Jules Kounde’s precise cross from the right flank and placed a clinical header into the top corner. The goal was Barcelona’s 100th in all competitions this season, making them only the second club in Europe’s top five domestic leagues to reach that milestone after Bayern Munich. It was a landmark worth celebrating, but Girona refused to respect the occasion. Within three minutes, Thomas Lemar levelled the score with a composed side-foot finish from close range after Vladyslav Vanat had done the hard work down the left wing.
Fran Beltran Seals Victory as Flick Faces Growing Crisis
With the match finely balanced, Girona showed the greater composure in the closing stages. Substitute Fran Beltran delivered the winner with three minutes remaining, driving a low shot from just inside the penalty area into the bottom corner. Joel Roca was sent off for Girona in the dying seconds, but the red card was irrelevant to the result. For Hansi Flick, the defeat compounded a nightmare week that had already included a 4-0 Copa del Rey loss to Atletico Madrid. Barcelona now face serious questions about their consistency and their ability to sustain a title challenge when results matter most.
A Timely Win Lifts Girona Up the La Liga Table
For Girona, the victory ended a three-game winless run at exactly the right time. The result lifted them three places in the La Liga standings to 12th position, level on points with Getafe. It was also a statement win for a side that has faced significant challenges this season following their dramatic rise under Michel, and beating their more illustrious Catalan neighbours will do wonders for morale. Barcelona, by contrast, must pick themselves up quickly. With Real Madrid firmly in control at the summit and the Copa del Rey already gone, their season increasingly hinges on one remaining domestic front.
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