Real Sociedad Halts Barcelona's Winning Run to Heighten La Liga Title Fight

Real Sociedad hindered Barcelona's efforts to defend their title by securing an unexpected 2-1 victory in La Liga on Sunday, thanks to a goal from Goncalo Guedes, marking the first loss for Hansi Flick's team in 12 outings.

The Catalan powerhouses, who struck the woodwork on four occasions and saw two strikes disallowed, now hold just a one-point advantage over challengers Real Madrid atop the standings, following Alvaro Arbeloa's team defeat of Levante on Saturday.

Playing at home, Real Sociedad, who remain without a loss in four matches since appointing new American manager Pellegrino Matarazzo, saw Carlos Soler receive a late red card yet still clinched the win to rise to eighth place.

"I believe we merited the victory today, we created numerous opportunities, but ultimately we must convert them," Barcelona's midfielder Frenkie de Jong shared with DAZN.

"We performed strongly yet failed to secure the result... their keeper delivered an outstanding display."

Sociedad's goalkeeper Alex Remiro produced multiple vital stops.

"Three vital points and an excellent performance," Remiro commented.

"We have begun this year with remarkable momentum... this reflects our vitality and the transformation we have undergone lately."

In a chaotic opening to an engaging encounter at the rain-soaked Reale Arena, each side had efforts chalked off.

La Real netted within the first 30 seconds as Mikel Oyarzabal nodded in Guedes's delivery, only for an offside flag to intervene.

Barcelona responded when Fermin Lopez rifled in from distance, but Dani Olmo's earlier infringement in the buildup led to its nullification.

With young winger Lamine Yamal eager to challenge full-backs, Barca frequently advanced along the right. The 18-year-old set up Olmo, whose effort soared over the crossbar despite a promising position.

Yamal scored himself, though a marginal offside decision voided it, prior to Real Sociedad seizing the initiative unexpectedly.

Oyarzabal unleashed a fierce volley from Guedes's pass into Joan Garcia's near corner to put his team ahead.

Yamal was brought down inside the box just before the interval, prompting the referee to award a penalty, but VAR intervention revealed another offside on the teenager, rescinding the call.

Remiro's Stellar Saves

Barcelona intensified their assault after the break, forcing Real Sociedad to rely on Remiro and the goalposts to repel the onslaught.

Olmo struck the upright from Lopez's delivery, followed by Remiro's superb block at the near post on the Barcelona playmaker.

Remiro then deflected substitute Robert Lewandowski's header onto the bar in the highlight save of the match.

Another Barca replacement, Marcus Rashford, finally levelled the score by nodding in Yamal's cross after 70 minutes.

Yet the home side swiftly restored their lead when Barca's Garcia parried Carlos Soler's attempt, allowing the midfielder to recover the loose ball and deliver for Guedes to restore La Real's edge.

A third goal seemed imminent as out-of-position Garcia could not reach Oyarzabal's shot, but Pau Cubarsi cleared it off the line with a header.

Barcelona nearly tied it once more as Joao Cancelo, making his second debut for the side, supplied a cross for Jules Kounde, whose header clipped the crossbar.

Soler earned a sending-off for a reckless challenge on Pedri with nine minutes of added time signalled.

Rashford rattled the post from a corner as Barca pressed relentlessly to the final whistle but ultimately could not breach the defence.