world

Girona FC secured a historic 2-1 victory over FC Barcelona on February 16, 2026, at Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain, marking a significant upset in LaLiga. The win, celebrated by Girona fans, comes two years after a previous victory against their Catalan rivals, solidifying Girona’s growing presence in Spanish football. This result carries weight not only for regional pride but likewise for the league standings as teams vie for position in the LaLiga EA SPORTS competition.

The match was a tightly contested affair, culminating in a dramatic finish with Fran Beltrán scoring the decisive goal in the 86th minute. According to reports from AS USA, the game ended with Girona earning a valuable three points, whereas Barcelona faced a setback in their campaign. The victory underscores Girona’s competitive edge and challenges the traditional dominance of clubs like Barcelona in Spanish football. The stakes are high in LaLiga, with teams battling for Champions League qualification and avoiding relegation.

Match Details and Key Moments

The game saw a flurry of activity in the closing minutes, including yellow cards for Marc Bernal of Barcelona and Axel Witsel and a red card for Joel Roca of Girona, all occurring in the 98th minute. The final score of 2-1 reflects a hard-fought battle, with Girona’s Fran Beltrán netting the winning goal with an assist from Joel Roca. Earlier in the match, Lemar scored for Girona in the 61st minute, while Cubarsí scored for Barcelona in the 59th minute, as detailed by LaLiga’s official website.

Barcelona pressed for an equalizer in the added time, with Robert Lewandowski having a header head just wide and Roony Bardghji attempting a shot that missed to the left. However, Girona’s defense held firm, securing the win. The match was officiated by César Soto Grado, with José Alberto Pardeiro Puente and David Gálvez Rascón serving as assistant referees. The attendance at Estadi Montilivi was 14,043.

Player Performances and Tactical Approaches

Girona’s starting lineup included Gazzaniga, Vitor Reis, Arnau, H. Rincón, Blind, Witsel, Iván Martín, Lemar, Tsygankov, Bryan, and Vanat, managed by Michel. Barcelona’s lineup featured Eric, Lamine Yamal, Cubarsí, Raphinha, Balde, Lewandowski, Fermín López, Araujo, and Roony Bardghji, under the management of Gerard Martín. Substitutions were made throughout the game, with Girona bringing on Alejandro Francés for Iván Martín in the 91st minute and Barcelona making several changes, including Roony for Raphinha and Kounde for Balde.

The tactical approaches of both teams played a crucial role in the outcome. Girona’s ability to capitalize on counterattacks and Barcelona’s struggles to break down a resilient defense were key factors. The match highlights, available on ESPN FC’s YouTube channel, showcase the intensity and drama of the encounter.

Looking Ahead

This victory positions Girona favorably in LaLiga, while Barcelona will require to regroup and address their performance in the coming matches. The result adds another layer of intrigue to the LaLiga season, with Girona demonstrating their ability to compete with the league’s top teams. The next steps for both teams involve preparing for their upcoming fixtures and analyzing their performance to refine their strategies.

The Catalan derby continues to be a fiercely contested rivalry, and Girona’s recent successes suggest they are becoming a force to be reckoned with in Spanish football. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these teams perform in the remainder of the season.

What are your thoughts on Girona’s recent success? Share your opinions in the comments below and be sure to share this article with fellow football enthusiasts!

Washington D.C. – Former U.S. President Donald Trump convened the inaugural meeting of his newly formed “Peace Council” on February 19th, aiming to address global conflicts, initially focusing on the aftermath of the Gaza conflict but expanding its scope to encompass broader international disputes. The initiative, launched at the Donald J. Trump Peace Institute in Washington, has drawn a diverse, though controversial, group of participants, while notably excluding many of Washington’s traditional Western allies.

The council’s first session brought together representatives from over 20 nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, with a total of more than 40 countries participating including observers. This move signals a potential shift in U.S. Foreign policy, prioritizing engagement with nations often at odds with traditional American partners. The formation of the council, initially conceived to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, has evolved into a broader ambition to mediate conflicts worldwide, a move that has sparked both interest and skepticism within the international community.

Council Membership and Notable Absences

While the Peace Council boasts participation from a significant number of countries, its composition is marked by the conspicuous absence of many key Western allies. According to reports, nearly all of Trump’s traditional Western allies declined to join the council. The European Union and several individual European nations have opted for observer status, with Mediterranean Affairs Commissioner Dubravka Šuica representing the EU at the Washington meeting. Italy, Romania, Greece, and Cyprus have accepted invitations to participate as observers. Russia was invited, but has not yet formally accepted, while Trump indicated both Russia and China have expressed interest in the initiative. Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva rejected the invitation, criticizing the council as a “new UN belonging only to him,” and emphasizing the need for Palestinian representation, which is currently absent. Canada also did not attend the meeting.

Turkey was represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who affirmed Turkey’s readiness to contribute personnel to the International Stability Force, a security component of the initiative intended to maintain order in Gaza. “We are ready to send troops to the International Stability Force,” Fidan stated, as reported by sources covering the event. Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, has indicated its willingness to deploy up to 8,000 troops if the force is authorized.

Financial Commitments and Focus on Gaza

During the opening session, Trump announced a $10 billion contribution from the United States to the Peace Council, with an expectation that other nations will contribute an additional $7 billion towards the reconstruction of Gaza. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the council will determine how these funds are allocated, with all members having voting rights on funding decisions. Trump emphasized his commitment to ensuring “proper governance” in Gaza, stating, “Gazze artık radikalizm ve terör yuvası değil” – “Gaza is no longer a den of radicalism and terrorism,” – while also acknowledging the need for Hamas to fully disarm. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Kasım responded to the council’s formation by stating, via AFP, that it must pressure Israel to end its “violations” in Gaza and lift the long-standing blockade.

Trump also warned that if negotiations with Iran fail, Washington may be compelled to “take a step further,” suggesting potential escalation in tensions. He indicated that developments regarding Iran would likely become clear within the next 10 days.

International Reactions and Future Steps

The establishment of the Trump Peace Council has elicited varied responses from the international community. The Vatican, while maintaining its preference for resolving international crises through the United Nations, expressed concerns about the new council. The initiative’s focus on Gaza, coupled with its broader ambition to address global conflicts, positions it as a potentially significant, albeit unconventional, player in international diplomacy. The council’s next steps will likely involve establishing clear operational guidelines, securing further financial commitments, and initiating dialogue with key stakeholders in ongoing conflicts.

The success of the Peace Council will depend on its ability to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics, secure broad international support, and deliver tangible results in conflict resolution. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this new initiative can live up to Trump’s claim that it will become “the most important international organization in history.”

What are your thoughts on the new Peace Council? Share your opinions in the comments below.

Buenos Aires – Actress Ana Garibaldi has publicly praised her experience working with María Eugenia “La China” Suárez on the Netflix series En el Barro, describing the collaboration as “spectacular.” Garibaldi’s comments, made during an appearance on the Argentinian television program Intrusos on February 19, 2026, offer a glimpse behind the scenes of the popular series and contribute to a growing chorus of positive testimonials regarding Suárez’s professionalism.

En el Barro, a spin-off of the successful series El Marginal, has quickly gained traction with audiences and critics alike. The second season, which recently premiered, has generated significant media attention, particularly surrounding Suárez’s role as Nicole, described as a “vip prostitute with wealthy clients” according to reporting from La Nación. Amidst ongoing public scrutiny of Suárez, Garibaldi’s endorsement adds to a narrative of positive on-set experiences.

Positive Atmosphere on Set

Garibaldi, who plays Gladys Borges in both seasons of En el Barro, was directly asked about her working relationship with Suárez during her appearance on Intrusos. She responded emphatically, stating, “Espectacular” – “Spectacular” – and reinforcing the sentiment when prompted by fellow guests. According to reporting from Pronto, Garibaldi added that “you can’t speak ill of her,” echoing sentiments reportedly shared by other cast and crew members.

This positive assessment extends beyond the current production. Garibaldi stated she had heard similar feedback from colleagues on other sets, noting that “all the actors and actresses speak very well” of Suárez. This widespread praise suggests a consistent pattern of professional conduct and a positive impact on collaborative environments.

A Relaxed and Collaborative Environment

Beyond Suárez’s professionalism, Garibaldi too offered a more personal glimpse into the atmosphere on set. She described Suárez as “very funny, a very humble person,” and “very great vibes,” as reported by Exitoina. Garibaldi also shared a lighthearted detail about Suárez’s fondness for Coca-Cola, adding a touch of levity to the discussion.

The actress highlighted a relaxed and collaborative dynamic that facilitated the perform process. This positive environment is particularly noteworthy given the intense scrutiny Suárez often faces in the Argentinian media. Garibaldi’s comments suggest that Suárez is able to maintain a professional and positive demeanor even under pressure.

The Success of En el Barro and Future Prospects

The success of En el Barro, which has reached the top 10 global series on Netflix in the non-English language category with 5.6 million views as of August 23, 2025, according to La Nación, underscores the appeal of Argentinian television productions on the international stage. The series, created by Sebastián Ortega, has already been renewed for a second season, with Suárez’s character poised to play a significant role.

As production continues and the second season approaches its release, the positive testimonials from cast members like Ana Garibaldi contribute to the anticipation surrounding the present and offer a counter-narrative to the often-critical media coverage of María Eugenia Suárez. The focus now shifts to the reception of the new season and its potential to further solidify En el Barro’s position as a leading Argentinian export in the streaming landscape.

What impact will Suárez’s performance have on the show’s continued success? Only time will tell, but the initial response from those who have worked alongside her suggests a promising future for both the actress and the series.

Share your thoughts on En el Barro and the impact of its stars in the comments below.