Barcelona fight back from one down to beat Real Sociedad

Barcelona made a lucky escape, fighting back from a goal down to pull off a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the newly rebuilt Anoeta.

The Basque stadium has been something of a bogey ground for the Catalans in recent years and the curse looked set to continue when Aritz Elustondo smashed home a half volley at the near post after just 13 minutes.

Real Sociedad could have been out of sight in the second half, missing three one-on-ones in quick succession. They were made to rue those missed opportunities as Luis Suarez fired home after some questionable goalkeeping from Geronimo Rulli.

And Barcelona completed the comeback seconds later when once again Rulli found himself caught underneath a cross, with the ball falling for Ousmane Dembele to shoot into the empty net. Real Sociedad gave it another go late on, but couldn’t find the goal that would have given them the point they perhaps deserved.

It was something of a surprise to see Sergio Busquets on the bench for this trip to the Anoeta. Ivan Rakitic started in the anchoring role, but Barcelona missed Busquets. It was only when the 30-year-old was introduced off the bench in the second half that Barca looked like their usual selves. So are the Catalans just as dependent on Busquets as they are on Lionel Messi? The case could be made after this game.

Barcelona were a long way from their best against Real Sociedad. The home side created the better of the opportunities and could have been out of sight by the time Suarez scored the equaliser for the away side. But Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was crucial in keeping Barca in the game in these difficult moments, making three quick-fire saves in the minutes before the fightback. This was yet another illustration of the German’s importance.

Real Sociedad - Rulli 4, Zaldua 6, Aritz 7, Moreno 7, Theo 5, Illarramendi 7, Zubeldia 5, Pardo 6, Oyarzabal 6, Juanmi 5, Zurutuza 7. Subs - Merino 6, Sangalli 5, Bautista 5.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 8, Semedo 4, Pique 5, Umtiti 5, Alba 6, Rakitic 5, Roberto 5, Rafinha 5, Messi 6, Suarez 6, Dembele 7. Subs - Coutinho 7, Busquets 7, Vidal 5.

13’ GOAL! Real Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona: The home side have the lead and what a goal! Real Sociedad win the knockdown from a freekick into the box and Elustondo smashes home a finish on the half volley! He beat Ter Stegen with power at the near post!

60’ WHAT A CHANCE! What an opportunity for Real Sociedad to make it 2-0. Pardo leads the counter attack and slips a pass through for Oyarzabal. But he blasts over the crossbar!

61’ ANOTHER ONE-ON-ONE! Another HUGE chance for the home side. This time it's Theo who goes clear in on the Barcelona goal, but from a tight angle he strikes straight at Ter Stegen.

62’ WHAT IS GOING ON? Barcelona are getting torn to shreds on the counter attack. Another one-on-one! Juanmi is played through, but Ter Stegen rushes out to make the save.

63’ GOAL! Real Sociedad 1-1 Barcelona: A heartbreaker for La Real! They have had three golden opportunities in three minutes, but Suarez fires home from close range after a Rulli save from a Pique header. Barcelona are finally on level terms!

65’ GOAL! Real Sociedad 1-2 Barcelona: What a turnaround! Barcelona have flipped this game in the space of just a few minutes. This time Dembele rattles home a finish, pouncing on a loose ball from a corner kick to put Barcelona ahead!

87’ SHOULD BE AN EQUALISER! Oh my word! That was the chance for the home side. Merino's reverse pass split open the Barca backline, but Juanmi sends his header wide of the far post.

Lionel Messi made 31 touches of the ball in the first half, but none of them were in the opposition box.

Barcelona have won four games out of four to start their 2018/19 La Liga campaign.