Yamal misses penalty as Barcelona lose 2-1 at Girona, drop to second in La Liga | OneFootball

Barcelona suffered a 2-1 defeat at Girona in La Liga on Monday evening, missing the opportunity to return to the top of the table.

Barcelona started brightly with Lamine Yamal firing just wide inside six minutes.

The Spaniard then squandered a big chance to break the deadlock in the 18th minute, fluffing his lines in a one-on-one situation.

Just before the half-hour mark, Girona threatened as Joan Garcia made a big save to keep out Vladyslav Vanat’s side-footed strike.

Late in the first half Raphinha rattled the crossbar and moments later, Yamal missed a penalty after a foul on Dani Olmo.

The defending champions have now missed three penalties in La Liga this term, the joint-most in the competition.

Barcelona eventually took the lead in the 58th minute when Pau Cubarsi powered a header home from Jules Kounde’s precise cross.

Girona quickly drew level as the ball broke to Vanat, who drilled a low cross for Thomas Lemar to tap in.

Fran Beltran completed the turnaround in the 86th minute, smashing a shot into the bottom corner, leaving Garcia rooted to the spot.

Robert Lewandowski thought he had snatched a draw for Barcelona but was denied by the offside flag.

Moments later, Girona’s Joel Roca was sent off, ending a thrilling encounter.

The defeat drops Barcelona to second in the standings as Real Madrid moved top after thrashing Valencia 4-1 on Saturday.