Girona qualify for Champions League for first time with win over Barça

Girona FC will play in the Champions League for the first time next season after defeating FC Barcelona 4-2 on Saturday. 

It is an incredible achievement for a club which is currently playing in Spain's top division for only the fourth season in its history and has never before qualified for any European competition. 

Girona's victory in the Catalan derby also confirmed a 36th La Liga title for Real Madrid. 

Catalan president Pere Aragonès and parliament speaker Anna Erra were among the dignitaries present at the Estadi Montilivi to witness a game that sparked into life from the first whistle. 

Andreas Christensen opened the scoring for Barça after just three minutes with a spectacular goal before Artem Dovbyk hit back for the hosts with a header one minute later. 

A Robert Lewandoski penalty on the stroke of half time saw Barcelona go in leading at the break, but a remarkable second half performance from substitute Portu inspired Girona to a historic victory. 

He equalized on 65 minutes before Miguel Gutiérrez put the home side ahead two minutes later. 

Portu rounded off the victory with a stunning volley from outside the area 15 minutes before the end. 

The final whistle was greeted by wild celebrations from the Girona faithful as the Champions League anthem played over the stadium's speakers. 

It marks the first time that Barça have lost home and away to another Catalan club in the same season.  

Ups and downs 

Man of the match Portu joined Girona in 2016, when the club were in the second division and before they had ever played a top-flight game. 

He helped them get promoted to the top division for the first ever time but left in 2019 when they got relegated. 

He returned at the start of this season and today, with two goals and an assist, he secured their qualification to Europe's premiere competition. 

Podcast 

Earlier in the season, Catalan News spoke to a fan and a journalist following Girona since the 1980s to hear their experiences of the club's incredible rise.  

Listen to the podcast below for more: 'Girona FC – the tiny Catalan football club making it big'.