Lionel Messi Showed His Anger At Full Time Following 2-2 Draw With Girona

Lionel Messi was clearly very unhappy with the referee after Barcelona and Girona drew 2-2 in La Liga last night. The Barca captain had something to get off his chest after a controversial red card.

Barcelona and Girona have been in the news quite a bit for their upcoming fixture this season. That's because the two sides could be the first La Liga sides to head to America to play a league game outside of Spain.

Last night however it was strictly down to business as the two sides met in Spain and specifically Barca's Camp Nou in the first meeting of the pair this season.

The reigning Spanish champions were favourites going into the match and Lionel Messi gave them a lead inside 20 minutes, however the game swung before half time with centre back Clement Lenglet controversially sent off, via VAR, for an elbow:

Girona took advantage of the numbers being in their favour and went 2-1 ahead six minutes into the second half thanks to two goals from Cristhian Stuani either side of half time.

Gerard Pique levelled the game in the 63rd minute but the Catalan giants were unable to grab a winner in the remaining time.

After the match Messi showed his anger and disapproval of the referee as he refused to shake his hand before shouting at him, as the ref pointed for him to leave the pitch:

Barca players and officials suggested that the fouled Girona player, Pere Pons, had apologised for colliding with Lenglet during the incident with manager Ernesto Valverde saying, "It handicapped us, we had bad luck to concede just before the end of the first half. We couldn't come back.

"I haven't seen the incident on the television, there's a clear collision and it seems that there's an elbow. It's the first sending off where the player fouled apologises."

The loss of points means that Barcelona are back level with Real Madrid on 13 points from the opening five games of the season but Valverde's side have a two goal better goal difference so stay top.

El Clasico is just over a month away and Barca will be hoping VAR is kinder to them on that day as it could play a major role.

Topics: Football News, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Spain, La Liga, Girona

Ryan Sidle

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