Barcelona beat Girona 2-1 with late Araujo header to top La Liga

Barcelona snatched a stoppage-time 2-1 victory over Girona at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Saturday, with substitute Ronald Araujo heading home deep into second-half stoppage time to lift Hansi Flick's side to the top of La Liga, at least temporarily. The match at Montjuïc produced early drama, a spectacular equaliser and a frantic finale that will shape both sides' immediate schedules.

Pedri opened the scoring for the hosts in the 13th minute after a probing pass from Lamine Yamal set up the midfielder, who reversed the ball into the far corner. Girona responded within seven minutes when Axel Witsel produced a stunning bicycle-kick finish from inside the box to level. For long periods Barcelona dominated possession and territory but failed to convert pressure into a decisive second goal. Wojciech Szczesny made several important saves to keep Girona at bay, while Girona squandered gilt-edged chances, including a one-on-one by Vladyslav Vanat that Szczesny stopped and a Portu effort that struck the post.

The match also featured a notable off-field protest. Both teams stood motionless for the first 15 seconds after kickoff in a symbolic action against plans to stage a La...