Ronald Araujo’s powerful strike in stoppage time earned Barcelona a 2-1 victory over Girona, propelling them to the top of La Liga on Saturday.
In the 93rd minute, the defender scored to give Barca a one-point lead over Real Madrid, who travel to Getafe on Sunday. The defender was substituted as an emergency forward.
In another game, Antony scored twice for Real Betis, fourth overall, to draw 2-2 with third-place Villarreal.
After falling to Girona twice in a row, Araujo’s late goal gave Hansi Flick’s Barca the 19th advantage.
Barcelona took a lead early on thanks to Pedri Gonzalez, but Axel Witsel equalized with a superb overhead kick for the Girona side who had already conceded a point.
We didn’t play our best match, but we fought to the end and scored the winning goal, which will help us prepare for the following matches, at least that’s what I’m hoping, according to Barca coach Flick.
After recovering from the groin injury that prevented him from Spain’s most recent World Cup qualifiers, Flick made Lamine Yamal return to the starting lineup.
The Catalans were only able to recover from their 4-1 defeat to Sevilla in their previous La Liga game, which the teenager winger also missed.
Robert Lewandowski, a striker, was among the injured players who were given a league debut by Flick, who is now 17-year-old forward Toni Fernandez.
Both sets of players sat still for 15 seconds after the whistle blew for kickoff in line with the protest organized by the Spanish footballers’ association against Barca’s December game against Villarreal, which has been moved to Miami.
After Jules Kounde and Yamal were successful, Barca allowed midfielder Pedri to pass into the bottom right corner with a casual pass. The pair took the lead and took the 13th minute lead.
Also read: Yamil Sets To Return As Wounded Barca Start Clasico Countdown
Girona quickly found a way to bring their season-ending position back to level, finishing in the top four two seasons ago.
In the 20th minute, Witsel stunned the hosts with a stunning overhead kick that equalized.
The visitors repeatedly created danger behind Barcelona’s high line.
After breaking in behind Barca’s defense, Cristian Portu hit the post, spurning two more one-on-ones.
As a consolation for the minnows, Marcus Rashford warned them and hit the crossbar with a free kick at the other end.
We Really Needed This!
Despite chasing the game, Flick made a surprising double change, removing star players Yamal and Pedri and keeping in mind both the game’s title game and the upcoming Clasico game on Saturday.
Rashford, who also had a penalty appeal thrown away, was thwarted by Paulo Gazzaniga’s excellent save from his near post.
Araujo was sent on as a striker by Flick in the final moments of desperation, and the Uruguayan delivered deep in stoppage time, beating Frenkie de Jong’s cross to take three points.
Araujo celebrated by claiming a victory for Barca that appeared improbable despite a subpar second-half performance.
Real Madrid must win tomorrow because we are currently in a top league position, according to Flick.
We needed this victory and goal, but we are missing the dynamic that we typically have.
After making a gesture that was viewed as offensive in Spain as he celebrated Araujo’s goal, Flick was sent off in the final stages for dissent and will likely receive a touchline ban at the Santiago Bernabéu next weekend and possibly beyond.
After their fifth successive defeat of the campaign, Girona were left to heal.
We think we had four or five excellent chances, but we should have had more, Witsel told DAZN.
We must consider the first half of our game and keep that in mind for our next game, but it’s hard to let in a goal like that.
On Saturday, Atletico Madrid will face Osasuna in a pointless encounter, aiming to tie the score with Betis.
The Andalusians fought back from two goals down with a brace from former Manchester United winger Antony, leaving the Yellow Submarine one point ahead of Betis and five points behind Barca.
