Surely, Girona were going to run out of steam. They enjoyed a nice start, won a few games, scored some late goals. The magic was supposed to end eventually. But after 16 weeks of La Liga, it is very much alive.
And this time, their neighbours were victims. In truth, this was a miserable Barcelona defensive showing, with Jules Kounde playing chief culprit in a disastrous performance, one in which Girona carved the reigning La Liga champions apart four times to ease to a 4-2 win.
The visitors struck first. It was an admittedly easy thing, Ivan Martin pinging a ball in the channel for Viktor Tsiganov, who squared to Artem Dobvyk for an easy finish. Lewandowski responded, though, outleaping two defenders to nod Raphinha's corner home at the far post.
After a series of opportunities on the break, Girona deservedly reclaimed the lead. Miguel Gutierrez was allowed to saunter down the pitch, and poked an effort into the top corner.
Barca looked a more assertive side after the break. They created countless opportunities, pouring forward to find an equalising goal. But it never came, and they were left vulnerable at the other end.
Valery Fernandez, a former Blaugrana youth product, took advantage, slotting home after a Kounde blunder gifted him a one-on-one. A late Ilkay Gundogan goal was cancelled out by another Girona effort, sending the unlikely contenders back to the top of the league — and perhaps giving their 500 traveling fans reason to dream.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Olympic Stadium...
