Barcelona’s 100 percent winning start to the season came to a halt on Sunday when they were held to a 2-2 La Liga draw by Girona on Sunday, having been reduced to playing the final 55 minutes with 10 men.
Published : 24 Sep 2018, 03:32 AM
The result meant they lost their two-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the table, with both teams on 13 points after five games.
Lionel Messi gave the champions the lead in the 19th minute with a first-time shot after a lay off from Chile international Arturo Vidal and came close to doubling the lead after dancing through a maze of defenders but saw his shot saved.
Uruguayan striker Stuani struck again in the 51st to give Girona, only playing their second season in Spain’s top flight, an unlikely lead.
The Catalans continued to dominate proceedings despite their numerical disadvantage, and they almost equalised when Messi sent a free kick crashing against the crossbar.
Girona coped admirably with Barca's onslaught for the remainder of the game, keeping their heads under the pressure and forcing the champions to resort to long range shots which failed to trouble impressive visiting goalkeeper Bono.