Real Sociedad beat Barcelona 2-1, ending the champions’ 12-game unbeaten run and cutting their lead over Real Madrid to just one point.
REAL Sociedad inflicted a first defeat in 12 matches on Barcelona to severely damage the champions’ title defence.
Goncalo Guedes scored the winner in a 2-1 victory at the Reale Arena on Sunday, moving Hansi Flick’s side just one point clear of rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
The hosts took a surprise lead against the run of play when Mikel Oyarzabal volleyed home Guedes’s cross in the first half.
Barcelona, who hit the woodwork four times and had two goals disallowed, eventually equalised through substitute Marcus Rashford’s header after 70 minutes.
Sociedad regained the lead almost immediately, with Guedes firing home after goalkeeper Joan Garcia saved Carlos Soler’s initial effort.
Soler was sent off late on for a foul on Pedri, but the hosts held on through nine minutes of stoppage time to secure a vital three points.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong rued his team’s missed opportunities in the dramatic defeat.
“We played well but we didn’t win,” De Jong told DAZN.
“Their goalkeeper had a very good game.”
Sociedad shot-stopper Alex Remiro made several crucial saves, including a spectacular stop to tip Robert Lewandowski’s header onto the crossbar.
“Three great points and a great game,” said Remiro.
“We’ve started this year in great form.”
The victory extends Sociedad’s unbeaten run to four games under new American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, lifting them to eighth in the table.
