Barca claim Liga lead after Araujo's late derby winner
Barcelona secured the top spot in La Liga on Saturday when Ronald Araujo scored in the dying moments of stoppage time to deliver a 2-1 victory against Girona for the title holders.
The centre-back, deployed as an makeshift attacker, found the net in the 93rd minute, putting Barca one point clear of Real Madrid, who face Getafe on Sunday.
In other action, Antony netted a brace for fourth-placed Real Betis, earning them a 2-2 draw away to third-positioned Villarreal after coming from behind.
After suffering back-to-back losses, Hansi Flick's Barcelona barely overcame 19th-placed Girona, relying on Araujo's timely strike.
Pedri Gonzalez gave Barcelona the lead early with a composed finish, but Axel Witsel levelled things up via an impressive overhead kick for Girona, who nearly earned a well-deserved draw.
"We did not deliver our finest performance, but we battled until the final whistle and grabbed that crucial goal, it should boost our morale for upcoming fixtures, or at least that is my expectation," commented Barca manager Flick.
Flick reinstated Lamine Yamal in the starting XI following his recovery from a groin problem that sidelined him during Spain's latest World Cup qualifying games.
The young winger had also sat out Barcelona's previous La Liga match, a 4-1 defeat to Sevilla, from which the Catalans have just managed to recover.
With key absences including forward Robert Lewandowski due to injury, Flick gave a La Liga debut to 17-year-old striker Toni Fernandez.
In solidarity with the protest by the Spanish players' union over Barcelona's December fixture against Villarreal, relocated to Miami, players from both teams paused for 15 seconds after the opening whistle.
Barcelona controlled possession and went ahead in the 13th minute through a neat interplay between Jules Kounde and Yamal, setting up Pedri to slot into the bottom right corner.
Girona, who achieved a top-four finish two seasons back but have faltered since, responded quickly to restore parity.
Witsel unleashed a spectacular overhead kick in the 20th minute to stun the home side and equalise.
The away team repeatedly exploited spaces behind Barcelona's advanced defence to pose threats.
Cristian Portu hit the woodwork after breaking through Barca's backline, and Girona wasted two additional clear chances.
Marcus Rashford curled a free-kick onto the bar at the opposite end, serving as a reminder to the underdogs.
We needed this
Flick opted for an unexpected double substitution, removing key talents Yamal and Pedri even while trailing, considering the midweek Champions League encounter with Olympiakos and the upcoming Clasico next weekend.
Goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga pulled off a fine stop at his near post to deny Rashford, whose penalty claim was dismissed.
In a bold move, Flick introduced defender Araujo up front in the closing minutes, and the Uruguayan rose to the occasion in added time, converting Frenkie de Jong's delivery to secure the points.
Araujo celebrated by tearing off his jersey as Barcelona earned a win that appeared unlikely following their subdued second half.
"Right now we top the standings, so it is a positive position, Real Madrid must triumph tomorrow," stated Flick.
"We lack the usual energy at present, I notice that absence a bit, we required this goal and win today."
Flick received a red card late on for protesting and faces a suspension for the Santiago Bernabeu clash next weekend, potentially extending further due to a celebratory gesture deemed inappropriate in Spain after Araujo's goal.
Girona departed disappointed after their fifth loss of the season.
"We believe we put in a strong showing, yet we squandered four or five golden opportunities and ought to have converted more to seal the result," Witsel shared with DAZN.
"Conceding that late is tough on the mind, but we must focus on our first-half dominance and carry that forward to the next game."
Atletico Madrid welcome Osasuna later on Saturday, seeking to match Betis on points.
The former Manchester United forward Antony's two goals enabled the Seville side to claw back from two down against Villarreal, placing the Yellow Submarine five points adrift of Barca and one clear of Betis.