Girona beat Barcelona 2-1 at Montilivi on February 16, 2026, overturning an early Barça lead to secure a famous win, and leaving the visitors frustrated by missed chances and a late VAR controversy. Pau Cubarsí opened the scoring just before the hour, but Thomas Lemar equalized immediately, and Fran Beltrán struck a decisive, late winner. The match finished with Girona down to ten men after a stoppage-time red card, and debate centered on a potential foul in the build-up to the winner that VAR did not overturn.
Match summary
The game began cagey, with Barcelona enjoying the lion's share of possession while Girona sat compact and dangerous on transition. Barcelona carved out the clearer chances in the first half and were awarded a penalty at the break, but the spot kick struck the post and stayed out, a reprieve that proved costly.
After the restart Barcelona took the lead through Pau Cubarsí (59'), only for Thomas Lemar (61') to level within minutes with a composed finish. The match looked set to end evenly, until Fran Beltrán's 86th-minute strike gave Girona the lead and sparked wild celebrations in the home end. Late stoppage-time drama saw Joel Roca sent off, but Girona held on.
Quick timeline
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59' Pau Cubarsí 0-1
61' Thomas Lemar 1-1
86' Fran Beltrán 2-1
90+' Joel Roca red card (Girona)
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Key statistics at a glance
Statistic | Girona | Barcelona |
|---|---|---|
Possession | 29% | 71% |
Total shots | 13 | 27 |
Shots on target | 9 | 4 |
Accurate passes | 238 | 667 |
Passing accuracy | 77.3% | 90.3% |
Those numbers underline the mismatch in the ball, and the efficiency gap. Barcelona dominated possession and passes, but Girona produced fewer, clearer chances and punished Barça when the openings came.
Tactical analysis
Girona setup to absorb pressure, press selectively and break quickly, exploiting pace in wide areas and the arrival of late runners into the box. They conceded the ball behind their midfield deliberately, trusting compact defensive lines and goalkeeper interventions. Barcelona, by contrast, tried to break down a deep block through patient build-up and wide overloads, and they repeatedly found openings without finishing them.
Girona's equalizer came from quick exploitation of space created when Barcelona committed numbers forward. The winner was a product of movement and a late delivery into a congested area, and it exposed Barcelona's difficulty defending set-piece type situations and scrambles inside their own box.
Key moments and turning points
- The missed penalty at the interval, when Lamine Yamal's spot kick hit the post, shifted momentum and left Barcelona without a cushion.
- Gironan response within two minutes, Thomas Lemar's finish, restored balance and set the tone for a tight second half.
- Fran Beltrán's late strike changed the match, and the decision not to overturn play after contact in the build-up became the focal point of post-match debate.
- Joel Roca's red card in added time ensured a frenzied finish, but it could not erase Girona's three points.
The match left both camps with clear but different complaints, Barcelona over chance conversion and refereeing intervention, Girona praising resilience and game management.
Reactions and controversy
Barcelona's players and staff voiced frustration after the game, pointing to missed opportunities and a moment in the build-up to Girona's winner when Jules Koundé appeared to be impeded. The visiting goalkeeper publicly questioned why VAR was not consulted. Barcelona's head coach acknowledged defensive shortcomings and said the team would use the break ahead to regroup.
Girona's camp celebrated a victory earned through discipline and timing, and the club and fans highlighted the team’s ability to punish a superior possession side. Meanwhile the Spanish refereeing committee moved to review VAR performance, announcing disciplinary steps for the officials involved, which has intensified the debate over consistency in video review.
Historical context and head-to-head
Barcelona remain the dominant club historically in these Catalan encounters, but in recent seasons Girona have closed the gap and produced notable results at Montilivi. The fixture has become more competitive and less predictable, with several high-scoring meetings in recent years and Girona demonstrating they can trouble top opponents with tactical organisation and precise finishing.
Head-to-head snapshot (recent seasons)
- Barcelona have generally won more meetings overall, but Girona have claimed important victories at home in recent campaigns.
- The 2025-26 result continues a trend where Girona, when disciplined and clinical, can overcome possession-heavy opponents.
Implications for the season
For Barcelona, the defeat is a setback in the title race, exposing vulnerabilities that rivals will look to exploit. For Girona, the win is a valuable three points toward survival or mid-table consolidation, coupled with a morale boost that can shape the next stretch of fixtures.
Both sides have immediate items on the calendar: Barcelona will regroup and address conversion and defensive transition issues, while Girona will aim to build momentum and manage squad fitness after an intense encounter.
Multiple viewpoints
- Girona supporters and neutral analysts praised the home side's discipline and effective use of moments when Barcelona overcommitted.
- Barcelona fans and some pundits focused on wasteful finishing and questioned refereeing decisions, particularly VAR non-intervention in the game's decisive phase.
- Officials and the refereeing body framed the incident as part of an internal review process, promising accountability where necessary.
What to watch next
- Whether the refereeing committee's measures lead to clearer VAR protocols or further debate.
- How Barcelona address shot conversion and defending in transition during the upcoming fixtures.
- Whether Girona can translate this result into sustained form, particularly away from Montilivi.
Conclusion
Girona's 2-1 win over Barcelona on February 16, 2026, was a reminder that dominance in possession does not guarantee victory, and that small margins and VAR decisions can shape headline results. The match adds another chapter to a growing and competitive Catalan rivalry, and it leaves both clubs with questions to answer as the season moves forward.