Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 08:15 / Updated Tuesday, February 17, 2026 08:16
Barcelona lost in Girona, 1-2, but contests the home team's winning goal, scored by Beltran in the 87th minute.
In the build-up to the 2-1 goal, Echeverri appears to be stepping on the champion's defender, Jules Koundé, after hitting the ball. The Frenchman stayed on the ground, blaming the shot, but referee Soto Grado let play continue and Beltran scored.
Barcelona's players protested, asking for a VAR review, but that didn't happen and the “central” conceded the goal that saw the Catalans miss out on returning to first place in La Liga.
Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia: “For me it was a foul”
They claimed it was foul play in front of the cameras as well. “I didn't see clearly live. Then I saw the replay and for me it was a foul. Jules got to the ball first. I think it was a foul. What is surprising is that they did not call the VAR official.
The referee can make mistakes. It's surprising they didn't even call him to check the situation on a screen. Things like this happen. We can't control them, so we have to move on,” goalkeeper Joan Garcia commented.
Teammate Gerard Martin, for his part, said: “I think it was a foul on Koundé because he stepped on his leg. These are decisions we have no control over and we need to focus on what we can do. We were not good, we have to be critical, that's why we lost today”.
Marca specialist: “I don't think it was a foul. And it's not reviewable by VAR”
Only coach Hansi Flick didn't want to say a word about the referee, being more upset with his team's game. “I'm not going to talk about the referee, because we, first of all, didn't play well. Girona deserved the victory, they had several chances. I don't want to focus on the phase that led to the second goal. We have to play better and get back to our best form,” said the German.
The specialists? Marca analyst, former FIFA referee Perez Burrull, commented on the incident that happened in the 87th minute as follows: “There is a contact between Echeverri and Koundé. They both go for the ball and the Barcelona player is hit. But I don't think it was foul. And it is not reviewable by VAR”.
Summary of the match Girona – Barcelona
The current standings in La Liga
