Barcelona smash Sociedad 4-0 in the 26th round of La Liga, on Sunday evening. Playing at the “Luis Companys Olympic” stadium, Barcelona showcased their dominance with goals from Gerard Martin, Marc Casado, Ronald Araujo, and Robert Lewandowski. This victory propelled them to the top of the league table, one point ahead of Atletico Madrid. Here’s a detailed look at how the match unfolded.
Match Overview
Barcelona’s 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad was a display of their attacking firepower and defensive discipline. The win took their points tally to 57, securing their position at the top of La Liga. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad remained in ninth place with 34 points, struggling to keep pace with the league leaders.
First Half: Barcelona Takes Charge
The game started with Real Sociedad applying early pressure. Sergio Gomez thought he had given his team the lead in the 3rd minute, but the goal was ruled offside after a VAR review. Barcelona quickly regained control, with Pedri nearly scoring in the 13th minute after capitalizing on a mistake by Sociedad’s goalkeeper, Remiro.
The match took a decisive turn in the 17th minute when Real Sociedad’s captain, Alustondo, was shown a straight red card for fouling Dani Olmo, who was through on goal. Playing with a man advantage, Barcelona capitalized swiftly. Gerard Martin opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a well-timed finish from a Dani Olmo cross. Just four minutes later, Marc Casado doubled the lead with a clever deflection from outside the box, sending Barcelona into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 advantage.
Second Half: Barça Seals the Win
Barcelona continued to dominate in the second half. Pedri came close to adding a third goal in the 54th minute, but his powerful strike rattled the crossbar. However, Ronald Araujo didn’t miss his chance, heading in the third goal in the 56th minute from a corner kick.
Robert Lewandowski put the game beyond doubt in the 60th minute, scoring the fourth goal with a deft touch to redirect Araujo’s shot into the net. Lewandowski nearly added a fifth goal in the 80th minute, but his header sailed just over the bar. Ferran Torres also had a chance from a free kick in the 84th minute, but Remiro made an excellent save to deny him.
Key Moments and Turning Points
- Red Card: Alustondo’s dismissal in the 17th minute shifted the momentum entirely in Barcelona’s favor.
- VAR Decision: Sociedad’s disallowed goal in the 3rd minute kept the game level early on.
- Clinical Finishing: Barcelona’s attackers made the most of their chances, with four different players getting on the scoresheet.
Barcelona Reclaims the Top Spot
Barcelona smash Sociedad 4-0 in a dominant performance that showcased their title credentials. With goals from multiple players and a solid defensive display, they reclaimed the top spot in La Liga. Real Sociedad, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly as they aim to climb higher in the table.
