Lamine Yamal misses penalty as Girona stun Barcelona 2-1 in La Liga

Barcelona’s title push took another hit on Monday night as they fell 2-1 away to Girona, squandering a golden chance to move above Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Teenage star Lamine Yamal endured a frustrating evening, missing a penalty just before halftime when his spot kick struck the post. That moment proved costly as the defeat left Barcelona second in the standings, now two points behind Real Madrid.


The loss was Barcelona’s second in under a week and further increased the pressure on coach Hansi Flick, whose side were thrashed 4-0 by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey last week. Despite their recent struggles, Barcelona looked on course to turn things around early in the second half. Fourteen minutes after the break, Pau Cubarsí rose to meet Jules Koundé’s cross and powered a precise header into the top corner to give the visitors the lead.



The goal marked Barcelona’s 100th in all competitions this season, making them only the second club in Europe’s top five leagues to reach that milestone after Bayern Munich. However, the advantage lasted just three minutes. Girona responded with urgency, and Thomas Lemar finished from close range after neat build-up play down the left. Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia was kept busy throughout, but he could not prevent Girona’s comeback.

Both teams pushed for a winner, yet it was Girona who struck late. Substitute Fran Beltrán found space just inside the box and drove a low shot past Garcia with three minutes remaining. A late red card for Girona’s Joel Roca changed nothing, as Barcelona failed to mount a final response.

The win snapped Girona’s three-match winless run and lifted them to 12th, level on points with Getafe. With only seven points separating clubs from eighth to 18th, the La Liga table remains tightly packed as the season intensifies.