Girona beat Barcelona for first time to lead LaLiga

Shock Spanish title contenders, Girona, earned a historic 4-2 win over rivals Barcelona on Sunday night to move top of LaLiga.

Girona defeated their Catalan rivals for the first time ever in the top flight in a pulsating battle to rise two points above Real Madrid, second, after their 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Saturday.

Champions Barcelona are fourth after Atletico Madrid, third, beat Almeria earlier on, and Xavi’s side trail Girona by seven points.

Artem Dovbyk sent Girona ahead and after Robert Lewandowski pulled Barcelona level, Miguel Gutierrez slammed home again for the visitors.

Valery Fernandez extended Girona’s lead with 10 minutes remaining before Ilkay Gundogan netted to set up a frantic finale.

Veteran striker, Cristhian Stuani, struck from close range in stoppage time to wrap up a stunning victory which reaffirms the minnows’ title dream.

Speaking after the game, Girona manager, Michel, said: “We’re enjoying the moment, we’re in a hugely positive dynamic.

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“I don’t know if we have the ability to win LaLiga, but we are able to beat any opponent.”

The defeat leaves Barcelona’s title defence badly dented.

Barcelona manager, Xavi, said: “They deserved it, they’ve got a lot of merit, they’re seven points ahead of us.

“We want to cut down the gap, this is our reality – this is a Barca under construction, although they have criticised me for (saying) it.

“You take one step back to be able to take two steps forward.”

Earlier, Diego Simeone’s Atletico took an early two-goal lead through Alvaro Morata and Angel Correa, but Leo Baptistao pulled Almeria into the game after an hour.

Atletico held on for the victory as the Andalucian strugglers threatened to pull level at the Metropolitano.

Athletic Bilbao’s visit to Granada was stopped in the 18th minute because a fan died in the stands, with the match subsequently abandoned.

Inaki Williams had sent the Basques ahead and they will resume play with the lead on Monday night from 17 minutes.

The Star