In a thrilling clash between Barcelona and Girona, the first leg of the eighth round of La Liga saw both teams looking to secure their place in the top flight.

Barcelona were the clear favorites as they had won five out of six games against Girona this season. However, it was Girona who took the lead in the first half, with Jordi Alba scoring a stunning strike from the edge of the box.

The hosts fought back, but it was Barcelona who sealed the victory. Lionel Messi scored his 25th goal of the season, with Messi's second-half penalty kick sealing the win for the Catalans.

The game was full of excitement, with both teams trying to make the most of their chances. The result was a close one, with both sides fighting hard for every inch on the pitch.

Despite the defeat, Girona showed some resilience in the face of adversity. They fought back late in the game, but it wasn't enough to prevent them from losing.

It is always exciting to see two teams battling it out in the Champions League, but it is even more so when it comes to football. In this case, Barcelona and Girona have shown that they can compete at a high level, and they will be looking to continue their form going into the final rounds of the season.