In a thrilling La Liga 2025‑26 encounter on 16 February 2026, Girona FC pulled off a memorable 2‑1 home victory over Catalan giants FC Barcelona at the Estadi Montilivi. Girona’s result was a huge boost for their season, while Barcelona once again saw their title ambitions tested in what has become one of Spain’s most intriguing fixtures.

🏆 Match Summary — Final Score

📅 Date: 16 February 2026
📍 Venue: Estadi Montilivi, Girona, Spain

Girona 2 – 1 Barcelona

• Barcelona Goal: Pau Cubarsí (59’)
• Girona Equaliser: Thomas Lemar (61’)
• Winning Goal: Fran Beltrán (86’)

Girona came from behind to claim all three points in a pulsating contest that saw Barca frustrated in front of goal and Girona capitalise late. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, Barcelona were unable to convert and left Catalonia with a rare defeat.

Key Moments & Turning Points

⏱️ Fast Start from Barça

Barcelona struck first through young defender Pau Cubarsí, whose header from a well‑worked set‑piece gave the visitors the lead just after the hour mark in what looked like a well‑timed breakthrough. Barcelona dominated early possession and seemed poised to control the game.

🌀 Immediate Response from Girona

Girona refused to be subdued and responded within minutes. Thomas Lemar drilled home the equaliser after a slick team move to bring the scores level at 1‑1, energising the home crowd and shifting momentum.

💥 Late Winner Seals Historic Result

In the dying stages, Girona seized their opportunity. Fran Beltrán found the net in the 86th minute, firing into the bottom corner to seal a dramatic victory that thrilled Girona supporters and stunned Barcelona’s defence.

🎯 Tactical Takeaways

🔁 Girona’s Resilience

Despite conceding first, Girona showed strong character. They weathered Barcelona’s early pressure, regrouped, and made the most of their chances, particularly in transition and on counter‑attacks.

❌ Barcelona’s Missed Chances

Barcelona had plenty of the ball and created opportunities throughout the match. A penalty in first‑half stoppage time was awarded but Lamine Yamal’s effort hit the post, leaving Barca frustrated and scoreless at the break. Their inability to finish chances ultimately cost them.

🧤 Goalkeeping Heroics

Girona’s goalkeeper put in a commanding performance, making several key saves that kept his side in the contest, particularly during Barcelona’s late pressure.

📊 La Liga Impact

🔥 Girona’s Standings

The win lifts Girona up the standings and gives them vital momentum in the mid‑table battle. This result represents a big boost for a side that has struggled for consistent wins in recent weeks.

📉 Barcelona’s Title Challenge

For Barcelona, this loss means they missed the chance to reclaim top spot in La Liga, instead staying two points behind leaders Real Madrid. It also extends their recent struggles, marking their second consecutive defeat in all competitions — a rare dip in form for a side fighting for honours.

Fresh Perspective: What This Result Really Says

⚠️ Is Barcelona Vulnerable?

This defeat raises questions about Barcelona’s finishing and mentality in tight contests. Even with strong possession and creativity, gaps in defensive organisation and failure to convert key chances were exposed.

✨ Girona’s Growing Confidence

On the flip side, Girona demonstrated belief and tactical discipline — qualities that could see them become a “giant‑slayer” team in this season’s La Liga. Their ability to fight back against top opposition will surely boost confidence in the squad.

⚽ Questions & Answers

Q: Who scored for Barcelona and how did they take the lead?
A: Young defender Pau Cubarsí gave Barcelona the lead with a precise header in the 59th minute from a set‑piece situation.

Q: How did Girona respond so quickly?
A: Just two minutes later, Thomas Lemar scored a composed finish to level the match, cancelling out Barca’s advantage.

Q: What was the decisive moment of the match?
A: Fran Beltrán’s 86th‑minute goal proved decisive, sealing Girona’s victory in front of a jubilant home crowd.

Q: Does this result hurt Barcelona’s title hopes?
A: Yes — the defeat means Barcelona remain behind rivals Real Madrid in the league table and puts pressure on their title chase, highlighting lapses in key moments.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This post is based on verified match reports and official La Liga coverage from multiple reputable sources, including Reuters and match summaries from official sports outlets. All details reflect information available at the time of writing and may be updated as full statistics and official reports are published by the league