Barcelona: Ronald Araujo emerged as an unlikely hero, scoring a sensational 92nd-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory for Barcelona over a resilient Girona and send his side to the top of the Spanish La Liga table. In a dramatic finale at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, the Uruguayan centre-back, who had been introduced as a makeshift striker for the final eight minutes, arrived at the back post to convert Frenkie de Jong’s driven cross. The goal sparked scenes of delirium, ending Barcelona’s two-match losing streak in the most dramatic fashion.

According to Oman News Agency, the hosts had taken the lead in the first half through Pedri, who expertly found the bottom corner with a low strike from the edge of the area that cannoned in off the post. However, Girona produced a stunning equaliser against the run of play. Following a corner, veteran defender Axel Witsel connected with a spectacular overhead kick that left the Barcelona defence stunned.

Barcelona created numerous opportunities to retake the lead, with loanee Marcus Rashford at the heart of their efforts. Rashford was unfortunate not to score in the first half, seeing a well-struck free-kick rebound off the crossbar. After the break, he spurned a golden opportunity, somehow turning a low cross wide from close range.

The tension boiled over in the dying moments when Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was dismissed for his protests upon seeing the fourth official indicate only four minutes of stoppage time. The dismissal means Flick will be absent from the touchline for the club’s next league fixture-the season’s first El Clasico against Real Madrid on 26 October.