After Real Madrid’s 0:3 home win over Cádiz, Barcelona knew that only their victory tonight (Saturday) over Girona would prevent Real Madrid from celebrating the championship later this evening. On the other hand, Mitchell’s team knew that a victory would definitively guarantee them a place in the Champions League for next season. Barcelona still led until the 65th minute, but then Porto entered the game, and within ten minutes completed a double and added an assist, on the way to a huge 2:4, which added another stamp to Girona’s tremendous season, and gave the Blancos the signal to start the championship celebrations 36 in their histories.
The game started at a dizzying pace, with a great volley by Andreas Christensen (3) and a lightning equalizer by Dubbik, but Lewandowski scored from the penalty spot and returned the advantage to Barca in the 45th minute. Girona struggled to create dangerous situations, and Mitchell made a double substitution in the 65th minute, bringing on Jan Cotto and Porto, in a decision that turned out to be huge.
In his first touch of the ball, Porto equalized 2:2 from Dubbić’s assist. Two minutes later, it was Porto’s turn to cook, Miguel Gutierrez, when the defender’s kick met a Barca defender, changed direction, and set up a lightning turnaround. Porto completed a huge double in the 75th minute, with a touch kick from outside the box from Sabio’s assist, thus the Spanish winger completed two goals and an assist in only ten minutes, sealing the story.
As in the previous meeting between the teams, Girona again wins 2:4 over Xavi’s team, with another game for Pantheon. As a result, Girona overtakes Barcelona and rises to second place with 74 points, and as mentioned, secures its place in the Champions League, in only its fourth season in La Liga. On the other hand, Barca has a third loss in its last four games in all competitions, and will want to recover when it meets Real Sociedad in the next round.
Dubbik in the center of the photo, goal number twenty for the Ukrainian striker, on his way to the Pichichi title (Getty)
GIRONA, TERRITORY OF CHAMPIONS ✨🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/AWZl6RcDVZ
— Girona FC (@GironaFC) May 4, 2024
the progress of the game:
Barcelona lineup: Andre Ter Stegen; Joao Cancelo, Pau Cobarsi, Ronald Araujo, Jules Conde; Ilkai Gundoan, Anders Christensen, Sergi Roberto, Robert Lewandowski, Lamin Yamal, Fermin Lopez.
Girona’s estimated lineup: Paolo Gazzaniga; Miguel Gutierrez, David Lopes, Daley Blind, Alex Garcia, Yangel Herrera, Ivan Martin, Eric Garcia, Sabinho, Artem Dubbik, Viktor Tsygankov.
The game started at a dizzying pace, a great goal by Andros Christensen in the 3rd minute gave Barça a 0:1 lead.
In the very next attack, Dubbik scored the equalizer, with his 20th goal in the Spanish league, and is on his way to the Pichichi title.
Christensen, originally a stopper, has been used in the last few games as a fullback, and in the 15th minute, he was very close to completing a brace! The Dane’s shot from a corner almost crossed the goal line, but Gazzaniga made an amazing save.
On the other side, Jules Conde was punished with the first yellow card of the game after he tackled Sabio on the edge of the box. Gundogan almost restored the lead to Barca with a chest shot in the 33rd minute, but the ball only met the crossbar, a great game unfolding.
Araujo also sees a yellow card (39), after holding Dubbik and preventing him from taking control of the ball.
On the verge of relegation (45) to the dressing rooms, Miguel Gutierrez tripped Lamin Yamal at the edge of the box. After checking Var, the referee decided on a kick from 11 meters, and Lewandowski restored the advantage to Barca with 1:2 with a flat and accurate kick to the left corner.
Girona is having trouble creating dangerous situations, and Michel makes a double change in the 65th minute: Chigenkov and David Lopes give way to Porto and Jan Cotto.
In his first touch of the ball, Porto equalized to 2:2 from Dubbik’s assist!
Two minutes later, this time it was Porto’s turn to cook, for Miguel Gutierrez. The defender’s kick met a Barca defender, changed direction, and set up a quick turnaround.
Porto completes a huge double in the 75th minute, with a touch kick from outside the box from Sabio’s assist. The Spanish winger with two goals and an assist in ten minutes, unimaginable!
