Barcelona’s much-anticipated LaLiga title celebrations fell flat at Camp Nou as they suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Xavi’s side had clinched the top-flight crown with a resounding 4-2 victory over Espanyol in their previous outing, sparking jubilant scenes on the pitch.
However, their return home was met with disappointment as Mikel Merino’s early strike and Alexander Sorloth’s breakaway finish secured the three points for La Real.
Despite a late header from Robert Lewandowski reigniting hope for Barca, Real Sociedad held on for a historic away win at Camp Nou, their first since May 1991. The result puts Imanol Alguacil’s side in pole position for securing Champions League football, with just three games remaining in the season.
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Real Sociedad caught their hosts off guard with a swift counter-attack, as Merino calmly slotted home an early finish to give them the lead. Barcelona had an opportunity to equalize when Ousmane Dembele connected with Lewandowski’s delivery, but an outstanding save from Alex Remiro denied them. Lewandowski himself missed a close-range chance, dragging his shot wide.
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Barcelona’s luck continued at the other end of the pitch, with Ander Barrenetxea squandering two golden opportunities and Marc-Andre ter Stegen denying Mohamed Ali-Cho. However, Sorloth made no mistake when presented with a superb counter-attacking opportunity, heading home to extend Real Sociedad’s lead.
Lewandowski’s impressive header in the late stages of the game set up a thrilling finale. However, Real Sociedad held firm during five minutes of added time, securing a deserving victory and moving five points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal in the league standings.
The defeat tarnished Barcelona’s celebration of their first league title since 2019, leaving a bitter taste after their recent triumph. As the season nears its end, Real Sociedad’s well-earned win puts them in a favorable position for a coveted Champions League spot, while Barcelona will aim to regroup and finish the campaign on a high note.
