Ronald Araújo’s stoppage-time winner earned Barcelona a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Girona at the Olympic Stadium, lifting them above Real Madrid to the top of La Liga.
The Catalan derby lived up to its billing, with both sides trading chances in torrential conditions.
Barcelona began on the front foot, Marcus Rashford testing Paulo Gazzaniga early with a fierce free-kick while Lamine Yamal tormented Girona’s defence down the flank.
Pedri opened the scoring midway through the first half with a clever reverse shot that went in off the post, marking Barça’s 47th consecutive game with a goal — a new club record.
But Girona hit back when veteran Axel Witsel produced a stunning overhead kick from a corner to level the contest.
Girona then went close to taking the lead through Portu, who struck the post, before Gazzaniga denied Frenkie de Jong at the other end.
Rashford continued to threaten, twice forcing fine saves and rattling the woodwork as Barcelona piled forward before the break.
After halftime, Fermín López and Pau Cubarsí both went close, while Rashford missed a golden opportunity from close range.
Girona held firm deep into stoppage time, but Araújo finally broke their resistance with a sliding finish in the 93rd minute to seal the points.
The victory was Barcelona’s third in six home meetings with Girona and extended the visitors’ unwanted run of 12 straight league defeats after conceding first — a streak that also began against Barça in March.
