Football news - Barcelona’s perfect start halted by Girona draw

Barcelona were unable to make it five wins from five games in La Liga as Girona earned a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou – although it could have been worse for the hosts after they were reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Lionel Messi’s opener looked set to spark a routine win for Barca, with the hosts well on top and in control, but Clement Lenglet’s straight red, awarded after a lengthy VAR review, for an elbow levelled the playing field and changed the dynamic of the contest.

Girona equalised right at the end of the first half when Cristhian Stuani nipped in front of Gerard Pique to get on the end of a cross into the box and finish underneath Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. And the Uruguayan added a second after the break, firing high into the net after Portu had left Pique on his backside.

The Barcelona centre back made amends by restoring parity for Barcelona, looping an opportunistic headed into the back of the net with just under half an hour left to play, but Girona, in the face of intense pressure, held on for a valuable point that sees Ernesto Valverde’s side go joint-top of La Liga with Real Madrid on 13 points.

The return fixture is set to be the first Spanish top-flight match to be played in the United States.

Was the decision to send off Clement Lenglet the right one? It was the defining moment of the match. Barcelona were cruising at the time, but the sending off of Lenglet gave Girona a foothold that ultimately saw them draw level. VAR was used to spot Lenglet’s elbow into the face of Pere Pons, with a lengthy delay only adding to the confusion. Some believe the decision was harsh, others believe it was justified. What’s for sure is that this will be talked about for quite some time. This will dominate the agenda in Spanish football this week.

Cristhian Stuani (Girona): His double ultimately gave Girona a point at the Camp Nou and it might have been all three points on another night. Of course, Stuani has a track record of showing up in the big games and this was yet another demonstration of the threat he can pose, even at the top level of the sport. Pique couldn’t cope with the Uruguayan, with Portu’s pace also giving the Barca backline all kinds of problems. What a performance this was.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Semedo 5, Pique 5, Lenglet 4, Alba 5, Arthur 6, Vidal 6, Busquets 5, Dembele 6, Messi 7, Suarez. Subs: Coutinho 6, Umtiti 5, Rakitic 5.

Girona: Bono 6, Bernardo 7, Alcala 6, Juanpe 5, Aday 5, Garcia 6, Pons 6, Granell 7, Muniesa 6, Portu 7, Stuani 8. Subs: Luiz 6, Doumbia 5, Garcia 6.

12’ - MESSI MAGIC! Almost a classic Messi moment! He beat one, he teased, he beat two, then three, then four and tries to pass the ball into the far corner of the net, but Bono tips round the post on the stretch!

19’ - GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Girona. That goal had been coming and Messi grabs it! Vidal squares the ball for the Argentinean and he makes no mistake in sweeping home the finish into the back of the Girona net. Good finish from Messi.

29’ - CLEARED OFF THE LINE! That was very nearly an equaliser for Girona! Portu surged through, collected a pass, rounded Ter Stegen and shot towards the gaping goal, but Pique was back on the line to clear!

33’ - VAR REVIEW! The officials at the Camp Nou are having a look at the footage here. They are examining an incident involving Lenglet. Girona argue that he threw an arm at the Girona player.

34’ - STRAIGHT RED CARD! Wow! What drama at the Camp Nou! Lenglet has been ordered off after a long delay while the officials looked at an arm from Lenglet on Pons. That's a big decision.

45’ - GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Girona. Girona are level right at the end of the first half at the Camp Nou! Stuani nipped in there to win the ball in front of Pique and slide home a finish underneath the advancing Ter Stegen! That's Stuani's fourth goal of the season!

50’ - GOAL! Barcelona 1-2 Girona. Well, well, well. We have a real game on our hands here! Girona have taken the lead at the Camp Nou! Portu shrugged off Pique to go clean through, his shot is saved by Ter Stegen, but Stuani fires high into the Barca net!

62’ - OFF THE CROSSBAR! Inches away from being a sensational Barcelona equaliser. Messi strikes the freekick from 25 yards out, but can only find the top of the woodwork! What an effort!

63’ - GOAL! Barcelona 2-2 Girona. An equaliser! Pique makes amends for his earlier mistake, looping a header into the back of the net. The save was made by Bono at the near post, with the ball spinning up in the air and Pique wins it! Barca are back on level terms.

Barcelona have had more scorers than any other side in La Liga this season (seven).

Cristhian Stuani became the first player to score a brace against both Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga in a calendar year in the 21st century.