Barcelona 1-2 Real Sociedad - Visitors spoil hosts' La Liga title celebrations at Camp Nou
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Updated 20/05/2023 at 22:23 GMT
This was not the evening that Xavi and his Barcelona players - nor the fans - would have hoped for to mark their celebrations for having already clinched the La Liga title. It was supposed to be a joyous evening for the hosts, but Real Sociedad produced a stunning performance to seal a memorable victory in what was a big upset against the odds at the Camp Nou.
Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Spotify Camp Nou
Image credit: Getty Images
Barcelona’s title celebrations back in front of their fans were dampened as top-four chasing Real Sociedad sealed a historic 2-1 victory - their first at the Camp Nou in 32 years.
La Real's last success at the famous venue came back in 1991, and the Basque side also put an end to a barren run of 24 consecutive away league games at the stadium without a win.
A jubilant Camp Nou capacity crowd were stunned into silence after just five minutes on the clock, as Sociedad took an early lead.
Jules Kounde was dispossessed cheaply in his own half by Alexander Sorloth, who advanced into the penalty area with a great run. His cut-back found the supporting Mikel Merino, and the Spaniard placed the ball past Marc Andre Ter Stegen from close range to give Imanol Alguacil’s side the advantage.
That costly mistake clicked Barcelona into gear, as Xavi’s side created a number of chances to level the game during the remainder of the first period, but without success. The best of them fell to Franck Kessie, but his effort from inside the penalty area was kept out by a superb piece of defending by Sociedad central midfielder Martín Zubimendi.
Barcelona lacked that same attacking threat in the second half, and in the 71st minute, La Blaugrana were once again punished on the counter-attack. Alexander Sorloth doubled La Real’s advantage with a composed finish past Ter Stegen to round off a clinical move and a historic performance by his side.
Robert Lewandowski pulled one back for Barcelona in the 89th minute after heading in from a Ferran Torres cross at the far post, but it proved only to be a consolation.
The result sees Barcelona remain on 85 points at the La Liga summit. Real Sociedad also stay in fourth place in the table with 65 points, but crucially, now have a five-point cushion over Villarreal behind them with just three league games left to play.
TALKING POINT - Barca’s celebrations suffer blow, Sociedad create history
Barcelona were given the respect they deserved before a ball was even kicked, as league tradition sees the winners of the title shown a guard of honour by the opposing side. That is exactly what La Real did as both sets of players entered the famous Camp Nou hallowed turf.
On the field, however, no respect was shown by the visitors from San-Sebastian at all. After the 4-2 win away at rivals Espanyol last weekend sealed La Blaugrana’s first league success since 2019, the home fans were understandably elated. Soon enough though, those smiles in the crowd turned into frowns.
Sociedad showed their danger on the counter-attack time and time again, and made the most of defensive errors and lapses of concentration by the home side. Complacency from Xavi’s team may have crept into the performance as their jobs were effectively done with the title already wrapped up. But regardless, La Real have created history with this win, and with it, take a giant step towards securing Champions League football at Anoeta next season.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Alexander Sorloth
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Alexander Sørloth
Image credit: Getty Images
The 27-year-old Norwegian was a handful all evening for the Barcelona defence, and was directly involved in both of Sociedad’s goals (one goal, one assist).
Despite being 6’3", his height is deceptive. Sorloth has a real turn of pace, and showed just how direct he can be for both of La Real's goals.
In total, the forward won three aerial duels and made three key passes - with one of them being the assist for Sociedad’s first of the night.
PLAYER RATINGS
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Alba 6, Christensen 6, Kounde 5, Balde 6, de Jong 7, Busquets 6, Kessie 6, Dembele 8, Raphinha 6, Lewandowski 7. Subs: Garcia 6, Torres 6, Alonso 6, Torre 6, Fati 6.
Real Sociedad: Remiro 6, Elustondo 6, Zubeldia 7, Le Normand 6, Rico 7, Illarramendi 7, Zubimendi 7, Barrenetxea 6, Cho 7, Merino 7, Sorloth 8. Subs: Pacheco 6, Kubo 7, Marin 6, Gorosabel 6, Fernandez 6.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
5’ - GOAL! (Mikel Merino) - Sociedad have the lead! It is a clinical breakaway, and Merino scores the easiest of tap-ins! La Real advance after Sorloth dispossesses Kounde. The striker makes his way into the box, and squares it for Merino to his right, and the Spaniard has the easiest of finishes past Ter Stegen! 1-0 to La Real!
15’ - SOCIEDAD ALMOST CAUGHT COLD! - From the goal-kick, the Sociedad 'keeper gives it straight to the feet of Zubeldia. He plays his team straight into trouble as he gives the ball straight to Raphinha under pressure of the high press. The Brazilian receives the loose ball right by the goal-side touchline towards the right flank, and lays it off for Lewandowski. The Pole loops a cross for Dembele at the back post, and the winger gets his head to it to direct an effort towards goal, but Remiro makes a critical save with his foot! Lucky escape for La Real.
17’ - KEY INTERVENTION - The hosts have turned it up a gear here. Kessie goes for goal from inside the area, but his effort sails wide of the target. Replays show that Zubimendi was the one to make an important goal line interception to keep it out of the net!
66’ - WIDE! - A free-kick from just outside the penalty area on the right-hand side results in a huge chance for La Real! Kubo whips in a superb ball towards the back post with swerve. Sorloth is there to meet it, but he gets his downward header all wrong and it sails wide of the target. Massive opportunity for 2-0!
71’ - GOAL! (Alexander Sorloth) - Sociedad have doubled their advantage! They win the ball back in midfield - Barcelona are claiming a foul - and advance up the pitch with a 3v2 overload. Kubo initially carries it forward, and plays it to Zubimendi, who has advanced from defensive midfield. Sorloth makes the run into the centre and is unmarked. He receives the cut-back from the Spaniard, and slots it home past Ter Stegen!
90’ - GOAL! (Robert Lewandowski) - Barcelona have pulled one goal back! Lewandowski heads in from a Torres cross at the back post and game on for the final few minutes of stoppage time!
KEY STATS
- Barcelona’s unbeaten league run at the Camp Nou this season comes to an end in their penultimate game of the season (W14, D3, L1).
- Alexander Sorloth is the first player to score and register an assist for Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou in the 21st Century.
- Real Sociedad end their 24-game winless run at the Camp Nou in La Liga.
- La Real extend their unbeaten run in the league to six matches (W4, D2).
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