Barcelona faced an unexpected 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad in LaLiga on Sunday, snapping their impressive seven-match winning streak across all competitions. The lone goal came from Sheraldo Becker in the first half, as the Basque team controlled the match and created numerous scoring opportunities.
This loss marked Barcelona’s first defeat in over a month and just their second in the current domestic season, highlighting a significant shift in their performance. Despite entering the game boasting the most potent attack in Europe’s top five leagues with 40 goals, the team struggled to register any shots on target throughout the match.
Barcelona continues to lead the LaLiga standings with 33 points, maintaining a six-point buffer over Real Madrid, who have a game in hand, while Atletico Madrid is in third at 26 points. Real Sociedad sits in eighth place with 18 points.
Missing key player Lamine Yamal due to an ankle injury, Barcelona nearly took the lead in the 13th minute when Robert Lewandowski’s rebound goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.
Real Sociedad quickly seized control of the game, with Becker scoring in the 33rd minute after exploiting defensive lapses within Barcelona’s backline. The home team created multiple opportunities but failed to capitalize, with Barcelona’s goalkeeper Iñaki Peña making key saves throughout the match to keep the scoreline respectable.
In the second half, Becker and his teammates continued to create chances but were thwarted by Peña. Barça finally threatened with a near-miss from Fermín López, but they couldn’t find the back of the net.
After the match, Pedri emphasized the need for the team to reflect on their performance, stating, “We have to analyse it and keep working after the international break. We’re doing well and we’re still in the lead.”
While this defeat is a setback for Barcelona, it serves as a reminder of the competitiveness in LaLiga. The squad’s prominent position in the standings demonstrates their resilience and capacity to bounce back, providing encouragement for the upcoming matches. With a strong track record thus far, there remains optimism that they will quickly regain their form once the international break concludes.