Lamine Yamal buried his head in his hands. The Barcelona bench stood stunned. And at the final whistle, Girona were celebrating a smash and grab victory that could prove huge in the title race.
The 17 year old wonderkid saw a first half penalty crash back off the upright as Barcelona spurned chance after chance in a frantic Catalan derby, only for substitute Fran Beltran to pop up with four minutes left and nick ALL THREE POINTS for the hosts.
Hansi Flick’s side now trail Real Madrid by TWO POINTS at the top of La Liga. And with Madrid playing Osasuna on Saturday, that gap could stretch to FIVE before Barca even kick off against Levante on Sunday.
Painful doesn’t cover it.
PENALTY HOWLER COSTS GUNNING GUNNERS
From the first whistle, this had derby written all over it. Girona, scrapping for points at the other end of the table, flew out the traps, forcing Joan Garcia into a save inside 60 seconds.
But Barcelona were their own worst enemies. Yamal was the guiltiest party, twice missing from close range before his horror show from 12 yards in first half stoppage time. The teenager usually so composed, smashed his spot kick against the base of the upright.
It was a miss that left Flick shaking his head on the touchline. And it proved costly.
KOUNE HOPES DASHED AS VAR RULES OUT DRAMA
Barcelona finally broke through on 59 minutes, centre back Pau Cubarsi glancing home a header from Jules Kounde’s cross for his FIRST league goal in Blaugrana colours.
Cue bedlam. But only for two minutes.
Girona hit back instantly, Thomas Lemar tapping in Vladyslav Vanat’s centre for his second goal in as many games. Game on.
Then came the controversy. Garcia failed to claim Viktor Tsygankov’s speculative header, but the keeper screamed foul and after a VAR check, the ref awarded a shove from Joel Roca on the goalline.
Barcelona breathed again. But not for long.
With four minutes left, Beltran struck. Girona’s bench erupted. Barcelona’s players surrounded the ref, convinced Kounde had been fouled in the build up. VAR took a quick look and waved it away.
TEN MEN GIRONA HANG ON
Deep into stoppage time, Roca lunged at Yamal and saw red. Ten men Girona. One last chance for Barcelona.
But no. The hosts held firm, ending a three game winless run and moving five points clear of the relegation zone. For Barcelona, this was a SECOND straight loss following that 4-0 Copa del Rey hammering by Atletico Madrid.
Flick’s side were top last week. Now they’re looking up at Real Madrid and cursing a penalty miss that could define their season.
WHAT IT MEANS
Girona climb to 12th, breathing space from the drop. Barcelona? They’re licking wounds, praying Madrid slip up, and wondering how on earth they left Montilivi empty handed.
The title race is far from over. But this one HURTS.
