Barcelona’s winning streak ends against Sociedad

Barcelona’s remarkable run of victories came to an unlucky halt on Sunday as they succumbed 2-1 to Real Sociedad at the Anoeta Stadium. Despite dominating possession and launching a barrage of shots, the Catalan giants found themselves undone by a combination of poor fortune and clinical finishing from the hosts. Their impressive eleven-match winning streak in La Liga came to an abrupt end.

From the outset, it was clear Barcelona were determined to score. They registered 25 shots in total, nine on target, but five were repelled by the woodwork, and three goals were chalked off for offside. Real Sociedad’s goalkeeper, meanwhile, was forced into eight critical saves, standing tall like a wall to deny Barcelona time and again.

The match saw Real Sociedad take the lead in the 32nd minute. From a precise cross by Gonçalo Guedes, Mikel Oyarzabal struck a brilliant volley past Marc-André ter Stegen. Barcelona’s attempts to equalise in the first half were repeatedly thwarted, with Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski seeing efforts rebound off the post. A potential penalty in stoppage time was also denied after Lamin Yamal was flagged offside.

Barcelona eventually levelled the score in the 70th minute when substitute Marcus Rashford connected with Yamal’s cross to head home. However, their relief was short-lived: just 60 seconds later, Guedes restored Real Sociedad’s lead, curling the ball into the net amid a crowded penalty area.

Barcelona continued to press, but their luck never turned. Jules Koundé’s header narrowly missed, and a late red card for Real Sociedad’s Carlos Soler in the 88th minute did little to shift the balance. Despite enjoying over 70% possession, the visitors could not find a way past the resilient home side.

Even statistics underlined Barcelona’s misfortune. They became only the second team in Europe’s top five leagues to hit the woodwork at least five times in a single match, echoing Brighton’s ill-fated performance against Manchester United in September 2020.

Despite the defeat, Barcelona remain at the summit of La Liga, with 49 points from 20 matches, maintaining a one-point lead over rivals Real Madrid. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, climb to eighth with 24 points.

For Barcelona, it was a match where everything that could go wrong did go wrong, highlighting that in football, even the best-laid plans sometimes fall victim to fate.