Real Sociedad Ends Barcelona’s Winning Streak in Thrilling LaLiga Clash
Table of Contents
Barcelona’s impressive 11-match winning run in LaLiga came to a dramatic halt on Sunday as Real Sociedad secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory at the Reale Arena. Despite dominating large portions of the contest, Hansi Flick’s side saw three goals disallowed and a penalty overturned, ultimately succumbing to a resilient Sociedad team.
The defeat leaves Barcelona just one point ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid at the top of the table, marking their third league loss of the season. The match was a captivating display of attacking football, punctuated by controversial decisions and outstanding goalkeeping.
First-Half Frustration for Barcelona
Sociedad drew first blood in the 32nd minute when Mikel Oyarzabal expertly dispatched a side-footed volley past goalkeeper Joan García, capitalizing on a cross from Gonçalo Guedes. However, the goal came after a frustrating first half for Barcelona, riddled with VAR interventions.
Early in the match, Oyarzabal had a goal ruled out for offside, a decision that set the tone for the officiating. Barcelona thought they had equalized through Fermín López, but the effort was chalked off following a VAR review due to a foul in the build-up. Further compounding their woes, goals from Frenkie de Jong and Yamal were also disallowed for offside, with the margins proving incredibly tight.
Adding to the drama, a penalty awarded to Barcelona in the dying seconds of the first half, after Yamal was brought down, was also overturned due to the teenager being offside.
Remiro Shines as Barcelona Press
The second half saw Barcelona relentlessly pursue an equalizer, but they were repeatedly thwarted by the heroics of Sociedad goalkeeper Alejandro Remiro. Remiro made a series of outstanding saves, denying Dani Olmo and substitute Robert Lewandowski with remarkable agility. Olmo was particularly unlucky, hitting the post twice, with Remiro expertly tipping the second effort onto the goal frame.
Barcelona finally broke through in the 70th minute when Marcus Rashford, recently introduced from the bench, headed home a cross from Yamal. However, their joy was short-lived.
Sociedad Strikes Back and Holds On
Just seconds after the restart, Sociedad regained the lead through Guedes, who drilled a shot into the net after Barcelona failed to clear the initial danger from a header. The goal visibly deflated Barcelona, and Sociedad nearly extended their advantage, but Oyarzabal headed wide and Igor Zubeldia’s lob was cleared off the line by Pau Cubarsí.
As Barcelona pushed for a late equalizer, Carlos Soler received a straight red card in the 88th minute for a reckless challenge on Pedri. Despite nine minutes of added time, Sociedad held firm, securing a famous victory that lifts them to eighth in the standings.
The match was a testament to Sociedad’s defensive resilience and Remiro’s exceptional goalkeeping, while Barcelona will undoubtedly rue their luck and the controversial decisions that went against them.
