Girona 4-2 FC Barcelona: Defeat at Montilivi

Despite taking the lead not once but twice, and looking very much in control of the proceedings until the last 25 minutes, FC Barcelona have crashed to 4-2 defeat in a game that has a huge bearing on deciding which of the two Catalans sides will be finishing second in the league and nabbing the fourth and final berth in the Spanish Super Cup next season.

Three goals in ten minutes turned the whole game around, and Girona have now moved back to one point above Barça with four games each left to play.

The result also has the knock-on consequence of confirming Real Madrid as La Liga champions 2023/24.

Manic start

The first four minutes were a portent for things to come in this dramatic encounter, with both sides netting an early goal.

Andreas Christensen got Barça off to the perfect start by catching a Lamine Yamal pass on his chest and producing a spectacular turn and volley without the ball touching the ground. Probably the best goal we’ve ever seen the Dane score.

But the joy was shortlived as Artem Dovbyk scored the kind of goal we’re more used to seeing Christensen scoring as he rose to head in a cross from close range.

Lewy restores the lead

With things all square again, neither side was able to exert much control over the other and Barça eventually restored their lead shortly before half-time.

Miguel Gutiérrez clipped Lamine just inside the area, and it was enough to convince VAR that Robert Lewandowski was entitled to a pop from the spot.

The Pole slotted home with class. Dovbyk might have become the first player to break the 20 barrier this Liga season, but Lewandowski still has plenty to say in the Pichichi chase…

Girona power back

From there, another Barça goal looked a lot more likely than a response from the home side, which made it all the more frustrating when Girona levelled for a second time.

Sergi Roberto’s backpass inadvertently ended up being a through ball to Dovbyk, and only seconds after coming on, Portu was putting the ball in the net.

Reinvigorated by the goal, Girona caught Barça napping in the middle again, and Ter Stegen was confounded as Gutiérrez’s ricocheted off Jules Kounde to make it 3-2.

Party time in Girona

And Girona still hadn’t finished. Portu’s second goal, a volley from outside the area, was a stunner. Montilivi exploded. A team that less than two decades ago was playing in the fourth tier of the Spanish pyramid will be playing Champions League football next season.

There was no way back for Barça. Montilivi was in party mode and had it not been for heroics from Ter Stegen and a Kounde clearance off the line, the damage could have been worse.

That there will be two Catalan clubs in the Champions League next season is nevertheless something to celebrate. But Barça want that second spot for themselves.

The contest continues next Monday with Real Sociedad coming to the Estadi Olimpic. That’s at 9pm CEST.