Laliga:Girona Edge Barcelona in Fiery Catalan Derby As Yamal Misses Penalty

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By Sedara Philip

Barcelona missed a golden opportunity to reclaim top spot in La Liga after suffering a dramatic defeat to Girona in an intense Catalan derby at Estadio Montilivi.

Hansi Flick’s men now sit two points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid in the title race after a late strike from substitute Fran Beltrán in the 86th minute secured all three points for Girona and boosted their fight against relegation.

Barcelona were left furious in the build-up to the decisive goal, believing defender Jules Koundé had been fouled. However, following a brief VAR review, the referee allowed the goal to stand.

Despite Girona being reduced to 10 men deep into stoppage time after substitute Joel Roca lunged into Lamine Yamal the visitors failed to find an equaliser and slumped to only their third league defeat against their regional rivals.

The loss compounds a difficult week for Barcelona, who were thrashed 4-0 by Atlético Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final just days earlier.

From the opening whistle, Girona showed intent, forcing goalkeeper Joan García into action within the first minute.

Barcelona, in contrast, appeared sluggish and wasteful in front of goal.

Teen sensation Lamine Yamal endured a frustrating evening, missing two clear-cut chances before striking a first-half stoppage-time penalty against the base of the post.

Barcelona eventually broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when defender Pau Cubarsí headed home from a pinpoint cross delivered by Jules Koundé, marking his first league goal for the club.

However, the lead lasted just two minutes. Girona responded swiftly as Thomas Lemar calmly tapped in from Vladyslav Vanat’s cross to level the contest.

The home side thought they had taken the lead 10 minutes later when Viktor Tsygankov’s looping header slipped from García’s grasp and into the net.

But the goal was disallowed after the goalkeeper was adjudged to have been fouled by Roca on the goal line.

Girona eventually found their breakthrough late on, with Fran Beltrán capitalising to seal a crucial victory.

The result ends Girona’s three-game winless streak and lifts them to 12th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.

For Barcelona, their three-match winning run in the league comes to an abrupt halt, and they could find themselves five points adrift at the summit depending on Real Madrid’s result this weekend. Madrid travel to Osasuna on Saturday,

while Barcelona will look to bounce back when they host Levante on Sunday.