'Striker' Araujo saves Barca with an injury time winner

In 2024, Girona finished as third in La Liga and played some fantastic football. A sell out of the first team players and a tough season with the Champions League games left them at 16th place last season and after the start of this one, they are fighting relegation with only one point above 18th place. But today, against injury crippled Barcelona, they played a fantastic game and reminded the football fans of their surprising 4-2 win in May 2024, when they dismantled the Catalans. This time, they didn’t win but only because their players missed so many excellent chances: Barcelona – Girona 2-1. When there is no Lewandowski, when there is no Raphinha, when there is no Ferran Torres, Ronald Araujo had to be the striker and he gave the Catalans a vital late injury time winner ahead of a big match with Real Madrid next week. The downside of the victory was a red card to a nervous Hansi Flick, who will miss the biggest Spanish derby.

Xabi Alonso will probably watch this game very carefully on Monday as Girona again used Barca’s high pressing and high defensive line and created many opportunities to score. If this was some stronger team, the Catalans would definitely lose this one.

The first half started with Barca pressure and it soon turned into a goal. Pedri was in the heart of the box, waited for the moment, and delivered a pass into the net. Smoothly, with the inside of his left foot. 1-0 Barca. And just when the home crowed believed that this was the beginning of another easy home win, troubles started. No less than three fantastic chances were made by the visitors and they all started after Girona equalized. Former Atletico Madrid midfielder Axel Witsel scored a beautiful bicycle goal in the 20th minute and shocked the home crowd. And then the chances kept going Szczesny was forced to save his own goal after a one-on-one with Vanat, then Portu shot the bar after another penetration through Barcelona’s defense and Bryan Gil missed another one-on-one for Girona in the 40th minute. During that time, only Rashford had a chance for the home team but it was a fantastic shot which hit the crossbar. 

The second half was a classic siege on Girona’s half. Fermín hit the post early on, and after that, the pressure only grew stronger — but so did the nerves as the clock ticked away and the scoreboard still showed 1–1. Yamal couldn’t finish the game; after Rashford’s hand brushed his face and he fell in the box, the referee didn’t award a penalty… Every decision by the officials raised the tension, and Barcelona kept firing shots toward Girona’s goal. Still, the defense in front of the net grew tighter as the end approached. Flick turned red with emotion, then burst onto the pitch like a man on fire when Araujo scored to make it 2–1, putting an end to Barcelona’s run of poor results.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 9

Friday

Oviedo - Espanyol 0-2 (0-0)

/Garcia 70, Milla 82/

Saturday

Sevilla - Mallorca 1-3 (1-0)

/Vargas 16 - Muriqui 67, Joseph 72, 77/

Barcelona - Girona 2-1 (1-1)

/Pedri 13, Araujo 90+3 - Witzel 20/

19.30: (1.95) Villareal (3.50) Betis (3.90)

22.00: (1.40) Atletico Madrid (4.50) Osasuna (8.50)

Sunday

15.00: (3.50) Elche (3.20) Athletic Bilbao (2.20)

17.15: (2.20) Celta (3.40) Sociedad (3.30)

19.30: (2.85) Levante (3.25) Rayo Vallecano (2.55)

22.00: (8.00) Getafe (4.40) Real Madrid (1.43)

Monday

22.00: (2.30) Alaves (3.10) Valencia (3.40)

***odds are subject to change***