Ronald Araújo climbed off the bench to hit a last-gasp winner as Barcelona returned to the top of the La Liga table with a 2-1 success over Girona.

Hansi Flick's side suffered back-to-back defeats before the international break and left it dramatically late to guarantee a return to winning ways against their fellow Catalonians.

Pedri gave the home side the lead with a precision finish but Michel's visitors belied their lowly league position, getting a deserved equaliser through Axel Witsel's stunning overhead kick.

There was a glut of chances to add to the scoring but it was not until deep in the final moment of added time that substitute Araujo instinctively converted to send his side a point above rivals Real Madrid, who play on Sunday at Getafe.

The game began with both sides taking part in a 15-second pause, standing still after kick-off in protest at La Liga's decision to move Barcelona's December meeting with Villarreal to Miami.

The move came as part of a unified show of opposition across the league but Barcelona's involvement carries greater weight given their status as an active participant in the American deal.

Once the teams had made their statement it was the hosts who settled fastest, Marcus Rashford working Paulo Gazzaniga with an early strike before an accomplished opener in the 13th minute.

An intricate passing move around the Girona box, involving Frenkie de Jong, the fleet-footed Jules Koundé and Lamine Yamal eventually freed Pedri, who skipped across the area unchallenged before slotting a neat low finish off the inside of the post.

The setback could have knocked the stuffing out of the visitors but instead they raised their game, levelling in the 20th minute with Witsel's moment of inspiration.

Lingering in the box after a corner was half-cleared then headed back in, the Belgian threw himself into the air and hooked a brilliantly athletic effort over his shoulder and into the far corner.

They had a series of good chances to grab the lead soon -- Vladyslav Vanat denied by Wojciech Szczesny before Portu hit the post having raced clear. Bryan Gil also sprung the Barca line only to shoot over and Witsel turned a dangerous cross wide.

Barca were soaking up plenty of pressure but gave a reminder of their own ability to change the game in an instant, Rashford rattling the crossbar with a free-kick.

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Fermín López came on for teenage La Masia graduate Antonio Fernandez as the latter's full debut ended early and the replacement rapped the post shortly after the restart.

The action continued as Pau Cubarsí saw a goal scrubbed off for a foul earlier in the move and Rashford saw his latest attempt saved by Gazzaniga.

The England international also had a penalty shout turned down as Barca's frustrations started to mount, with Flick sent off in the 90th minute after unloading on the referee.

That meant he was absent for his side's winner, with the tireless De Jong cutting back for Araujo to pick out the bottom corner.