Girona upset La Liga leaders Barcelona 2-1 at Estadi Montilivi on Monday, February 16, 2026, dealing a significant blow to the Catalan club’s title aspirations. The result leaves Barcelona just one point ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
Despite entering the match with a strong away record – 25 points from 12 matches – Barcelona faltered against a resilient Girona side currently 12th in La Liga. Girona’s victory was secured despite a late red card issued to Joel Roca.
Barcelona was looking to build on three consecutive league victories and maintain their momentum after a humbling 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. However, they were unable to overcome a determined Girona outfit that had drawn their previous two matches 1-1 against Sevilla and Getafe.
The match unfolded with Barcelona seeking to control possession and dictate the tempo, a strategy that has served them well throughout the 2025-2026 season. Girona, under the guidance of manager Michel, adopted a more direct approach, looking to exploit Barcelona’s defensive vulnerabilities on the counter-attack.
The game’s opening goal came as a surprise, with Girona taking the lead against the run of play. Barcelona struggled to break down a well-organized Girona defense, and their attacking threat was stifled by the home side’s energetic pressing. The specifics of the goals were not detailed in available sources, but the final scoreline indicates a hard-fought contest.
Barcelona managed to equalize, but Girona responded with a second goal, regaining the lead and ultimately securing the victory. The late sending-off of Joel Roca added a dramatic element to the closing stages, but Girona held firm, defending resolutely to deny Barcelona a late equalizer.
This defeat marks a setback for Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, who will need to regroup quickly to maintain their position at the summit of La Liga. The loss highlights the competitive nature of the Spanish top flight and the challenges of maintaining consistency throughout a long season. Barcelona’s recent Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico Madrid, combined with this league loss, raises questions about their current form and ability to compete on multiple fronts.
For Girona, the victory represents a significant achievement and a boost to their confidence. The team has shown signs of improvement under Michel, and this result demonstrates their potential to cause upsets against the league’s leading teams. Picking up just 13 points from 11 matches at Montilivi prior to this game, the win will be particularly satisfying for the home fans.
Historically, Barcelona has had the upper hand in this fixture, having won their last three meetings with Girona, including a 2-1 triumph in the reverse fixture earlier this season. However, Girona proved they are capable of challenging the league leaders on their home turf.
The result will undoubtedly intensify the title race, with Real Madrid poised to capitalize on Barcelona’s slip-up. The coming weeks will be crucial for both teams as they battle for supremacy in La Liga. The league table remains incredibly tight, and every point will be vital in the race for the championship.
Several key players were absent from the Barcelona lineup, including Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford, and Pedri, according to reports. The reasons for their absence were not specified in the provided sources, but their absence undoubtedly impacted Barcelona’s attacking options.
The lineups, as reported by Sportschau.de, showed Barcelona starting with Peña, Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, and Cancelo. Further details regarding the full starting XI were not available in the provided sources.
