Girona Fc stun Barcelona as Lamine Yamal misses penalty and late Fran Beltrán strike decides fiery derby
girona fc delivered a dramatic home win over Barcelona after Lamine Yamal smashed a first-half penalty off the post and Fran Beltrán struck in the 86th minute to secure a 2-1 shock at Estadio Montilivi. The defeat compounds a difficult week for Barcelona and leaves them trailing their rivals by two points in the title race.
Girona Fc key moments that turned the derby
The match swung through a sequence of decisive incidents that are now central to Girona Fc's victory. Barcelona initially took the lead when a centre-back looped a header into the top corner from a right-back cross, but the hosts responded almost immediately when a midfielder tapped home from a close-range centre to level the score.
- First-half turning point: Lamine Yamal missed multiple close-range chances and then struck a penalty against the base of the upright in stoppage time.
- Second-half exchange: A header put Barcelona ahead on 59 minutes, only for Girona to equalise two minutes later.
- Late winner: Fran Beltrán fired the decisive goal in the 86th minute after a brief video assistant referee check allowed the strike to stand despite a build-up in which Barcelona felt there had been contact on a defender.
- Stoppage-time drama: Girona were reduced to 10 men late on when a substitute brought down Lamine Yamal with a lunging challenge, but Barcelona could not find an equaliser.
What the result means for Barcelona and Hansi Flick
The loss marks a second successive defeat for Barcelona following a heavy cup defeat earlier in the week. Questions are now being asked about the team's intensity, tactical approach and internal dynamics after a sequence described as the worst of the season so far for the club.
Coaching discussions and player conversations reportedly followed the cup loss, with the manager confronting issues of attitude and intensity while players expressed concerns about tactical demands in training. The derby defeat underlines those tensions and increases pressure on the squad to respond in upcoming fixtures.
Refereeing controversy and Raphinha's reaction
Refereeing decisions added a contentious edge to the night. The late winner stood after a brief VAR review despite Barcelona feeling a foul had occurred in the build-up, and there were further incidents in the week that heightened the club's frustrations with officiating.
One Barcelona player publicly questioned the idea that rules are applied differently to his club, and the club has lodged a formal complaint with the national refereeing authorities outlining multiple concerns. The complaint highlights perceived inconsistencies in disciplinary decisions, handball rulings, the use of VAR and monitor reviews.
Implications and what comes next
girona fc's victory ends a winless run and eases immediate relegation worries by moving the hosts clear of the danger zone. For Barcelona, the defeat leaves them trailing their title rivals by two points and facing the task of regrouping quickly ahead of their next league match.
Expect a period of scrutiny over selection, tactical choices and match-management from the coaching staff, and continued debate about refereeing standards as the season approaches its decisive phase. Details remain subject to further developments but the immediate facts from Montilivi are clear: a missed penalty, disputed moments, and a late, decisive strike that set Girona Fc alight and left Barcelona searching for answers.
