Barcelona's La Liga title hopes suffered a blow as they were beaten 2-1 by lowly Girona on Monday. The hosts came from behind with Fran Beltran scoring a late winner at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi. This was a devastating result for Barcelona after they'd been expecting a routine victory against a team sitting just above the relegation zone.
How It Unfolded
Barcelona actually looked the stronger side for much of the match. Hansi Flick's side did find the breakthrough on 59 minutes, as Pau Cubarsi brilliantly headed in from Jules Kounde's cross. But the lead didn't last long. The lead lasted just two minutes, though, with Thomas Lemar turning in Vlayslav Vanat's cross from close range. Girona then completed the turnaround four minutes from time as Joel Roca teed up Beltran, who drilled past a flat-footed Joan Garcia.
This defeat comes after Barcelona's worst result of the season—a 4-0 Copa del Rey loss to Atlético Madrid—and it puts them in an even tighter spot. Real Madrid have applied the pressure in recent weeks with a run of eight straight victories, including a 4-0 rout of Real Sociedad on Saturday, to display the Blaugrana at the top of the table. Real Madrid's dominance makes Barcelona's stumble against Girona even more costly. The hosts subsequently boosted their survival hopes, moving five points clear of the relegation zone. For Barcelona, it's a painful reminder that consistency is everything in a tight title race.