Barcelona beat neighbours Girona 4-1 on Sunday to re-establish their three-point lead at the top of LaLiga, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice.
2024/2025 La Liga
4-1
Match Report
Barca saw Real Madrid pull level at the summit with Saturday's 3-2 victory over Leganes, but they made Sunday's game in hand count to give themselves breathing space again.
Barcelona started off well against Girona, creating several chances early on, but the likes of Fermin Lopez, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal twice could not make the most of their shooting opportunities. Despite some magical Lamine Yamal moments, Girona were defending better by the time the break approached, hence conceding in the last minute was so unfortunate.
The 17-year-old whipped in a free-kick, and after a deflection off Ladislav Krejci’s stomach, the ball bounced into the net. Girona looked dangerous in moments, but hadn’t been able to find the final pass. However with their first chance of the game, Arnaut Danjuma took advantage of Girona winning the ball back from a high press, finishing one-on-one with Wojciech Szczesny into the corner. Against the run of play, Danjuma levelled just after the break.
Jules Kounde’s cross-shot went agonisingly between the post and Robert Lewandowski, a reminder of the danger Barcelona carry, but Girona were competing well at this point, pushing higher at times. On the hour-mark, Eric Garcia curled a seemingly harmless effort off the post from outside the box, as both sides looked to up the tempo.
That was a sign of things to come though, and in the 63rd minute, Lewandowski had the home side back in front. A ball to the back post found Fermin, whose header looped up to the back post. Between two defenders and the goalkeeper, Lewandowski managed to hook the ball on the volley through the legs of Gazzaniga.
Portu and Danjuma were starting to concern the Barcelona defence, but Girona could not manage the risks that an increased attacking impetus brought with it. Frenkie de Jong came off the bench and showed a fresh set of heels to the Girona midfield, driving forward and laying in Lewandowski for a fine finish from the left side of the box.
Now enjoying themselves on the break, Gerard Martin would provide a cutback for another substitute, Ferran Torres, to control and finish with his left from just inside the box. There was time for several more attacks, and the best effort of which came from Lamine Yamal, who struck the underside of the bar.
The Blaugrana retake a three-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table, in a win that wasn’t always comfortable but showed their depth and their offensive prowess once again. They have taken 17 wins and three draws in 2025. At the other end of the equation, Girona are now seven games without a win, and will be grateful the seven-point gap to the relegation zone was not reduced.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
7' Fermin's long-range shot is saved by the keeper
11' Fermin falls down on the edge of the box, but the ref thinks he fouls first
13' Yamal dribbles into the box but his effort is high
15' Yamal completes a wonderful take-on and takes a shot, but it is blocked
22' Gazzaniga dives to his left and palms Araujo's header out
39' Kounde's goal is disallowed as it is ruled offside
43' Krejci's own goal puts hosts in lead just before half time! Barcelona 1-0 Girona
50' Fermin's another long-range effort is high
53' Arnaut Danjuma equalizes for visitors! Barcelona 1-1 Girona
57' Yamal links up with Kounde but the defender's shot is wide
60' GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Girona, Robert Lewandowski score with a difficult finish
60' CLOSE! Eric Garcia's shot hits the post
66' Gavi and Fermin are replaced by De Jong and Ferran Torres
77' Lewandowski nets double and extends the lead for hosts! Barcelona 3-1 Girona
86' Martin's cross finds Torres who shoots into right corner! Barcelona 4-1 Girona
90' Yamal cuts in and shoots but his effort hits the bar
Line-ups
Barcelona XI: Szczesny, Lewandowski, I. Martinez, Kounde, Araujo, Eric Garcia, Pedri, Gavi, Fermín López, Yamal, Gerard Martín
Subs: Pena, De Jong, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Fati, Balde, Pau Víctor, Pablo Torre, Héctor Fort, Cubarsi, Diego Kochen
Girona XI: Blind, Gazzaniga, Arthur, Viktor Tsygankov, Yangel Herrera, Arnaut Danjuma, Ladislav Krejci, Miguel Gutiérrez, Alejandro Francés, Yáser Asprilla, Arnau Martínez
Subs: Stuani, Juan Carlos, Juanpe, D.López, Portu, Gabriel Misehouy, Jhon Solís, Vladyslav Krapyvtsov