Late drama in Barca-Girona: Araujo's header seals a chaotic, clock-fighting night
18 October 2025
Late drama seals Barca win as Araujo headlines the night
Barcelona beat Girona 2-1 in La Liga on Saturday, at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc, after a dramatic injury-time header by Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo sealed the win.
Pedri gave the Catalans the lead in the 13th minute; Araujo headed the winner in the 90+3 minute, while Girona’s only goal came from Belgian Axel Witsel in the 20th minute.
The German coach Hans Flick, leading Girona, was sent off, ruling him out of the next Clasico against Real Madrid.
Barça climbed to the top of La Liga with 22 points, one ahead of Real Madrid, who play later in the round; Girona stayed on 6 points, hovering near the relegation zone. Barca will meet Real Madrid in the upcoming Clasico.
The match opened with pace, and both teams paused for 15 seconds in solidarity with protests linked to the controversial “Miami plan,” which has sparked debate across Spanish football.
After the final whistle, Araujo said he was delighted with the win, describing the match as difficult but highlighting his side’s character and perseverance. Pedri noted the symbolic gesture and stressed the need for ongoing improvement across the squad.
On the broader context, the clash added fuel to a tense atmosphere in Spanish football, as clubs and players debate the Miami project and governance of the league, with protests continuing into other matches in the ninth round, including Real Oviedo and Espanyol.
In his reflections, Araujo revealed a pre-match conversation with the coach about his unusual role this game, joking that he was ready to play anywhere the team needed. He closed with a reminder that “after a win, everything changes” and that the team must keep developing and fighting for every point.
Punchline: Timing is everything in football—and Barca just bought a stopwatch with a 93rd-minute warranty.
Punchline 2: Real Madrid better check their clocks, because Barça may have discovered a time machine in attack.
