High-flying Girona recaptured the top spot in La Liga after defeating champions Barcelona 4-2 away on Sunday, handing Xavi Hernández’s team their second league defeat.
Artem Dovbyk put Girona ahead in the 12th minute with a shot that rebounded off the bottom of the post. Still, Robert Lewandowski equalized seven minutes later, heading in following a corner.
Before halftime, Miguel Gutiérrez restored Girona’s lead, and in the 80th minute, Valery Fernández made it 3-1. Ilkay Gündogan equalized for Barcelona before Cristhian Stuani scored in stoppage time.
Girona’s performance in the match
Girona leads the table with 41 points from 16 games. Barcelona is fourth with 34 points, level with third-placed Atletico Madrid.
The La Liga match between Granada and Athletic Bilbao was called off when a fan died after suffering a heart arrest in the stands, according to both clubs.
The game was initially halted in the 17th minute while paramedics attempted to resuscitate the spectator, and it was eventually abandoned an hour later. The date for the resumption of the match, which Bilbao led 1-0 after a goal by Iaki Williams in the sixth minute, will be confirmed soon, according to La Liga.
Dovbyk put Girona ahead in the 12th minute with a shot that rebounded off the bottom of the post, his eighth goal in his rookie La Liga season.
Lewandowski found his goal-scoring touch seven minutes later, heading home from a corner. It was the Pole’s first goal for Barcelona in nearly a month.
Gutierrez restored Girona’s lead before halftime with a magnificent individual effort, and Fernandez made it 3-1 in the 80th minute with a low shot two minutes after coming off the bench.
“It is a tough defeat; we have not been good,” Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong told DAZN. “Girona performed admirably, but it is our fault.
“Neither we nor I have been good with the ball, especially in the first half.”
“We’re seven points behind Girona, which is significant.” There is still time; a lot of La Liga is left, but we need to improve significantly. We are disappointed; it is difficult, but we can return.”
Hence, this performance in the match had a good impact on the football world.
