The China Mail - Barca claim Liga lead after Araujo's late derby winner

The defender, sent on as an emergency forward, netted in the 93rd minute to give Barca a one-point lead on Real Madrid, who visit Getafe on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Antony struck twice for Real Betis, fourth, to secure them a 2-2 comeback draw at third-place Villarreal.

Following two consecutive defeats Hansi Flick's Barca were only just able to edge Girona, 19th, thanks to Araujo's late goal.

Pedri Gonzalez slotted Barcelona ahead early on but Axel Witsel equalised with a superb overhead kick for a Girona side who came close to securing a deserved point.

"We didn't play our best match but we fought to the end and we scored that goal -- it will give us confidence for the next matches, at least this is what I hope," said Barca coach Flick.

Flick brought Lamine Yamal back into the starting line-up after he recovered from the groin injury which kept him out of Spain's recent World Cup qualifiers.

The teenage winger also missed the 4-1 thrashing by Sevilla in Barcelona's last La Liga outing, which the Catalans were only just able to bounce back from.

With several players, including striker Robert Lewandowski out injured, Flick handed a league debut to 17-year-old forward Toni Fernandez.

In line with the protest organised by the Spanish footballers' association against Barca's match against Villarreal in December which has been moved to Miami, both sets of players stood still for 15 seconds after the whistle blew for kick-off.

Barca took the initiative and earned a 13th-minute lead after Jules Kounde and Yamal combined well, allowing midfielder Pedri to casually pass into the bottom right corner.

Girona, who finished in the top four two seasons ago but have struggled ever since, soon found a way back level.

Witsel produced a stunning overhead kick to equalise in the 20th minute and shock the hosts.

The visitors broke behind Barcelona's high line several times to create danger.

Cristian Portu struck the post after getting in behind Barca's defence and Girona spurned two more one-on-ones.

Marcus Rashford struck the crossbar with a free-kick at the other end as a warning to the minnows.

- 'We needed this' -

Flick made a surprising double change, withdrawing star players Yamal and Pedri despite chasing the game, with Tuesday's Champions League clash against Olympiakos in mind, as well as next weekend's Clasico.

Paulo Gazzaniga made an excellent save at his near post to thwart Rashford, who also had a penalty appeal waved away.

Flick sent on centre-back Araujo as a striker in the final stages in desperation and the Uruguayan delivered deep in stoppage time, finishing off Frenkie de Jong's cross to snatch three points.

Araujo ripped off his shirt in celebration as Barca claimed a victory which seemed improbable after a flat second-half display.

"At the moment we're leading the table so it's a good situation, Real Madrid have to win tomorrow," said Flick.

"We are missing the dynamic we normally have... I miss this a little bit... we needed this goal and this victory today."

Flick was sent off in the final stages for dissent and is set for a touchline ban at the Santiago Bernabeu next weekend, and perhaps beyond after he made a gesture viewed as uncouth in Spain as he celebrated Araujo's goal.

Girona were left licking their wounds after a fifth defeat of the campaign.

"We feel that we played a great game... (but) we had four or five clear chances and should have scored more to kill the game," Witsel told DAZN.

"It's hard mentally to let in a goal like that, but we have to think about the first half (we played)... and keep that in mind for our next match."

Atletico Madrid host Osasuna later Saturday aiming to pull level on points with Betis.

Former Manchester United winger Antony's brace helped the Andalusians peg back Villarreal from two goals down, leaving the Yellow Submarine five points behind Barca and one ahead of Betis.

I.Ko--ThChM