Key Summary
- Barcelona’s Lewandowski had a goal disallowed by VAR in the 13th minute, sparking debate.
- Sheraldo Becker scored for Sociedad in the 33rd minute, deciding the match.
- Barcelona failed to register a shot on target, missing Lamine Yamal’s creative spark.
- Real Sociedad moves up to eighth, while Barca remains top, six points ahead of Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.
Match Summary
| Team | Goal | Goal Time |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 0 | – |
| Real Sociedad | 1 | Becker (33′) |
In a dramatic twist in the La Liga season, league leaders Barcelona suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad on Sunday, with a controversial VAR decision overshadowing the match. Sheraldo Becker’s goal in the 33rd minute handed the Catalan giants their second league defeat of the season and widened the gap at the top to six points over second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski had an early goal ruled out, igniting a heated debate among fans and pundits alike. The Polish striker celebrated what seemed to be the opening goal after 13 minutes, reacting quickly to a blocked shot to strike past Sociedad’s goalkeeper. However, after a VAR review, referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez ruled the goal offside, citing the front of Lewandowski’s boot as fractionally ahead. Yet, Spanish media and fans questioned the ruling, suggesting that the semi-automated offside technology may have misinterpreted Real Sociedad defender Nayef Aguerd’s heel as part of Lewandowski’s foot.
A Tough Outing in San Sebastian
Barcelona came into the game riding a seven-match winning streak, yet found themselves outclassed by an inspired Real Sociedad. Despite a lineup featuring veteran Lewandowski and midfield maestro Pedri, the Catalans failed to register a single shot on target—a rarity this season. Missing the spark of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who was sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained midweek against Red Star Belgrade, Barca’s offense lacked its usual sharpness.
“It’s a tough place to go, where La Real push a lot,” Pedri admitted to Movistar after the match. “We have to learn from our mistakes and that’s it. Normally, we score goals, but today we weren’t accurate. I think it will be a one-off, and in the following games, we’ll be more precise.”
In an attempt to shake up his side’s approach, manager Hansi Flick brought on playmaker Dani Olmo for Frenkie de Jong at halftime, yet the Catalans remained on the back foot. Flick conceded that his team struggled against Sociedad’s pressure, a problem compounded by a resilient defensive display from the Basque side.
Real Sociedad in Control
Real Sociedad capitalized on Barcelona’s struggles and continually tested backup goalkeeper Inaki Pena. Japan international Takefusa Kubo was particularly lively, cutting in from the right to fire a low drive that stung Pena’s gloves early on. When the goal finally came, it was from Becker, who received a well-placed header from Luka Sucic before slotting the ball past Pena for the game’s only goal.
“We really wanted to win at home, and there was no better team to do it against,” Sociedad midfielder Brais Mendez said, celebrating their victory over the European heavyweights. “They are the most in-form team in Europe, and the fans deserved a night like this.”
Barcelona’s Defensive Woes
Barcelona’s defense, which has shown moments of fragility this season, struggled once again. Becker came close to doubling his tally in the second half, only for Jules Kounde to narrowly divert his shot. As Real Sociedad surged forward, Ander Barrenetxea also missed narrowly from a tight angle, leaving Barcelona vulnerable throughout the match.
Flick: ‘No Excuses’
After the match, Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick took responsibility for the team’s disappointing performance. “Today was not our day,” Flick said. “We didn’t create enough chances, and we have to accept this result because they played decisively. It’s clear, there are no excuses. We started well, but then we made some bad decisions.”
Barcelona remains top of the La Liga standings on 33 points but will need to reflect on Sunday’s performance as Real Madrid closes the gap with a game in hand. Flick highlighted that the responsibility for the defeat lay with the team’s inability to maintain possession and capitalize on opportunities, urging his players to move forward without dwelling on the setback.
“We tried until the last second, united, but today we weren’t strong enough to deserve a better result,” Flick concluded.
This defeat is a wake-up call for Barcelona, who will need to regroup as they look to maintain their position atop La Liga in the coming weeks.
