Barcelona suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday, ending their seven-game winning streak across all competitions. Sheraldo Becker’s first-half goal secured the victory for the Basque side, who dominated the match and squandered several chances to widen the scoreline.
Heading into the game, Barcelona boasted the most prolific attack in Europe’s top five leagues with 40 goals, as well as 15 goals in the UEFA Champions League. However, they finished the game without a single shot on target.
Rising star Lamine Yamal was absent from the squad, still recovering from a right ankle injury sustained during a Champions League win at Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday.
Despite the loss, Barcelona remains at the top of the standings with 33 points, six ahead of Real Madrid, who have a game in hand. Atletico Madrid sits third with 26 points, while Real Sociedad moves up to eighth with 18 points.
Barcelona thought they had taken the lead in the 13th minute when Robert Lewandowski fired home a rebound, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside in the build-up.
Real Sociedad seized control of the match, and after goalkeeper Inaki Pena denied a Mikel Oyarzabal free-kick, Becker beat the offside trap to latch onto a Luka Sucic header, slotting the ball just inside the post in the 33rd minute.
The home side continued to overrun Barcelona’s defense, missing several opportunities to extend their lead. Becker wasted three golden chances early in the second half, and Pena made critical saves to deny efforts from Oyarzabal, Take Kubo, and Brais Mendez.
Real Sociedad’s dominance nearly backfired when Barcelona went close to equalizing in the 57th minute. Fermin Lopez’s strike from the edge of the box deflected off a defender, but goalkeeper Alex Remiro reacted swiftly to palm it away for a corner.
“Real Sociedad are a team that presses very well. It was very difficult for us to put the ball in play,” Barcelona’s Pedri told Movistar Plus. “We weren’t accurate today, but I think it’ll be a one-day thing. The team is doing well, and it’s nothing to worry about. In the second half, we didn’t have any clarity. We have to analyze it and keep working after the international break. We’re doing well and we’re still in the lead.”
Other results from Sunday:
- Real Betis 2-2 Celta de Vigo
- Atletico Madrid 1-0 RCD Mallorca
- Girona 1-0 Getafe
- Real Valladolid 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
Reference(s):
Sheraldo Becker's goal hands Real Sociedad shock win over Barcelona
cgtn.com
