Lewandowski and de Jong shine as Barcelona beats Girona

FC Barcelona secured a crucial 4-1 victory over Girona on Sunday evening, thanks to a brace from Robert Lewandowski and a stunning assist by substitute Frenkie de Jong. The win helps Barça stay ahead of Real Madrid in the tight La Liga title race and underlines their growing momentum in 2025.

Title pressure mounts and Barcelona responds

Just days after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Osasuna in a rescheduled fixture, Hansi Flick’s side returned to action at home against Girona. Real Madrid had briefly pulled level on points following a win over Leganés on Saturday, making a victory essential for Barcelona to maintain control at the top. Frenkie de Jong started on the bench, while Girona lined up with Dutch duo Daley Blind and Arnaut Danjuma. Donny van de Beek was absent due to suspension.

First-half frustration turns to fortune

Barcelona dominated most of the first half but struggled to find a breakthrough. A controversial moment came early on when Fermín López went down in the box. Although VAR intervened, the referee stood by his decision not to award a penalty. Barça’s persistence paid off just before halftime. From a free kick by Lamine Yamal, Girona defender Ladislav Krejcí accidentally turned the ball into his own net, gifting Barcelona a 1-0 lead at the break.

Dutch connection briefly brings Girona hope

Girona stunned the hosts early in the second half with a well-constructed equalizer. Daley Blind split the defense with a sharp through ball, and Arnaut Danjuma finished calmly to make it 1-1. However, Barcelona didn’t take long to respond. Just eight minutes later, Robert Lewandowski restored the lead with a clever close-range finish, marking his first of the evening and swinging the momentum firmly back in Barça’s favor.

De Jong’s brilliance seals the win

In the 77th minute, Frenkie de Jong made his mark. The Dutch midfielder carried the ball from deep inside his own half and picked out Lewandowski with a perfectly weighted pass. The Polish striker made no mistake, scoring his second and Barcelona’s third of the match. As the final whistle approached, substitute Ferran Torres added the finishing touch, scoring in the 89th minute to secure the 4-1 result.

Barcelona stays in control

With this victory, Barcelona moves three points clear of Real Madrid in the standings, although the title race remains far from over. The team’s recent form, paired with contributions from both starters and substitutes, highlights their depth and growing confidence. Girona, after a promising start to the season, now finds themselves in 13th place. Barcelona, meanwhile, continues to chase silverware with renewed belief.