Araujo Saves the Day as Barça Snatch Last-Gasp Win Over Girona
⚽ Barcelona 2-1 Girona: A Dramatic Derby Win at Montjuïc Sparks Hope
Barcelona returned to winning ways in thrilling fashion on Saturday evening, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Girona in the Catalan derby at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. With the win, the Blaugrana temporarily climbed to the top of the La Liga table — a crucial morale boost in what has been a turbulent campaign so far.
🔥 First Half: A Tale of Two Halves
Manager Hansi Flick rolled the dice with a bold 4-3-3 setup, deploying youngster Toni Fernández as a false nine. The opening 15 minutes were electric. Barça looked fluid, dynamic, and dominant — creating space with swift movement and pinning Girona back with relentless pressure.
Their early dominance paid off with a beautifully worked goal. Lamine Yamal threaded a clever pass to Pedri, who delivered a stunning finish off the post with his left foot — a moment of pure class from the midfield maestro.
But the momentum shifted dramatically. Barça lost control of the match, and Girona pounced. Axel Witsel equalized with a sensational bicycle kick, and the visitors continued to threaten with four clear-cut chances. Fortunately for Barça, Girona lacked composure in front of goal — with Vanat, Portu, and Gil all squandering golden opportunities.
Barcelona, meanwhile, had a couple of chances of their own — a rocket from Marcus Rashford hit the crossbar, and Paulo Gazzaniga denied Frenkie de Jong with a fine save. Despite the early lead, Barça entered the break lucky to still be level.
⚙️ Second Half: Flick’s Changes Spark a Revival
Flick made an immediate change at halftime, bringing on Fermín López for Toni Fernández. The young midfielder — returning from injury — injected urgency and energy into the side. His directness sparked a reaction, and Barça began regaining control of the midfield.
Pau Cubarsí appeared to have scored from a corner, but the goal was controversially disallowed for a foul in the buildup. Rashford continued to threaten, but Gazzaniga produced another brilliant save to keep the game level.
At the hour mark, Flick made a surprising decision by withdrawing both Pedri and Yamal, likely to manage fitness. Despite their absence, Barça continued to push. A clear penalty appeal was waved away when Vitor Reis caught Rashford in the face — much to the frustration of the home crowd.
⏱️ Late Drama: Araujo the Unexpected Hero
As time ticked away, Flick made a bold final move — sending Ronald Araujo up front and shifting to a 4-2-4 formation. The game seemed destined for a draw, especially after Flick himself was sent off for protesting in stoppage time.
But in the 93rd minute, the drama reached its peak. Roony Bardghji played a clever ball into Frenkie de Jong, whose low cross found Araujo. The Uruguayan defender-turned-striker finished with poise, guiding the ball into the bottom corner and sealing an unforgettable win for Barça.
📈 Final Thoughts
This was far from a perfect performance. In fact, Barcelona were second-best for much of the first half and could easily have trailed by multiple goals. But what stood out was the resilience, the spirit, and the never-give-up attitude that Flick’s team displayed — capped off by an unlikely hero in Araujo.
With injuries mounting and questions swirling, this gritty comeback could mark a turning point in Barça’s season. There’s plenty to improve, but for now, the three points — and the passion shown — are cause for celebration.
Visca el Barça!
