Ronald Araujo emerged as the last-minute hero for Barcelona after scoring deep into stoppage time to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory over Girona in the highly anticipated Catalan derby at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Saturday night.
The win proved crucial for Hansi Flick’s side, propelling them back to the summit of the La Liga standings after what had been a tense and hard-fought encounter filled with drama and determination from both teams.
Barcelona, who had dropped crucial points in recent weeks, looked rejuvenated under Flick’s tactical setup, with the team showing more fluidity, confidence, and attacking intent throughout the match.
Yamal and Pedri combine as Barça strike first
The returning wonderkid, Lamine Yamal, wasted no time in making an impact for Barcelona. The teenage sensation, who continues to dazzle fans with his maturity and flair, was instrumental in the opening goal. In the 13th minute, Yamal cleverly set up Pedri inside the box after a series of quick exchanges.
Pedri, showing remarkable composure and intelligence, turned away from his marker before calmly curling the ball into the far corner off the post, leaving Girona’s goalkeeper with no chance. The early goal energized the home crowd and gave the hosts a much-needed boost in confidence.
Barcelona continued to dominate possession and create openings, with Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres coming close to doubling the lead, but Girona’s defense held firm under pressure.
Witsel’s stunning equalizer revives Girona
Despite Barcelona’s early dominance, Girona responded strongly and found their equalizer just ten minutes later. Axel Witsel, surprisingly deployed in an advanced role during a set-piece, scored one of the goals of the season — a breathtaking bicycle kick that flew past Ter Stegen into the top corner to make it 1-1.
The equalizer silenced the home fans for a moment and reignited Girona’s belief. They began to control stretches of the game, pressing Barcelona’s midfield and creating dangerous opportunities on the counterattack, forcing the Blaugrana to work harder defensively.
Araujo the unlikely hero
As the clock ticked into injury time, both sides seemed destined to share the spoils. However, Ronald Araujo, who had pushed forward in desperation, became the unlikely match-winner. In the dying seconds of stoppage time, Frenkie de Jong whipped in a low cross from the left, and Araujo, playing almost as an emergency striker, timed his run perfectly to slot the ball into the back of the net, sending the Barcelona fans into wild celebration.
The goal not only secured a dramatic victory for the Catalan giants but also reaffirmed their resilience and fighting spirit — qualities that have defined the club’s legacy for decades. Araujo’s passionate celebration at the final whistle summed up the emotional intensity of the night.
With the win, Barcelona leapfrogged Real Madrid and Girona to reclaim the top spot in La Liga, as Flick’s side continues to build momentum in their quest to defend the league title.
Next up, Barcelona will face a tricky away fixture against Real Betis, while Girona will look to bounce back when they host Villarreal next weekend.