Summary:
- Barcelona ran riot as Martin, Casado, Araujo & Lewandowski punished a 10-man Sociedad after Elustondo’s early red card.
- The Catalans sit just two points behind Atletico and could reclaim the La Liga summit with a victory, further intensifying the title race.
- Sociedad, still reeling from the defeat, remain stuck in ninth place and are struggling to find consistency this season.
- The visitors now shift focus to a high-stakes Europa League clash against Manchester United on Thursday, a game that could define their European ambitions.
- The match showcased Barcelona’s attacking dominance and tactical discipline, further cementing their title credentials.
Barcelona’s Ruthless Show of Strength: Sociedad Crumble After Early Red Card
Barcelona stormed back to the top of La Liga with a commanding and ruthless victory over a 10-man Real Sociedad, dismantling their opponents with a four-goal masterclass at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
Earlier, Atletico Madrid had temporarily overtaken them at the summit following their narrow 1-0 win over Athletic Club on Saturday. But Barcelona responded in emphatic fashion, restoring their one-point advantage and extending their unbeaten streak to six consecutive wins.
Hansi Flick’s men wasted no time asserting their dominance. The match took a dramatic turn in the 17th minute when Sociedad defender Aritz Elustondo saw red for bringing down Dani Olmo, who was racing towards goal. The controversial decision left Sociedad with a mountain to climb, and Barcelona wasted no time in making their numerical superiority count.
Just eight minutes later, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal showcased his dazzling footwork to lose his marker, setting up Dani Olmo, who squared the ball to full-back Gerard Martin for a composed finish at the back post. It was a moment of sheer precision and control, marking Martin’s first-ever goal for the club.
Barcelona’s relentless pressure continued, and in the 29th minute, they doubled their lead. This time, it was Olmo himself who got on the scoresheet—albeit with a slice of luck—as his shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection off Marc Casado and found the net. Casado, like Martin, celebrated his maiden goal for Barcelona, further adding to Sociedad’s misery.
With the visitors reeling, Barcelona smelled blood. Just seconds after Pedri rattled the crossbar with a curling long-range effort, Ronald Araujo capitalized on a well-delivered Raphinha corner in the 31st minute, rising highest to head home and put the game beyond doubt before halftime.
The second half saw Sociedad desperately trying to find a way back, but with a numerical disadvantage and an organized Barcelona defense, their efforts were in vain. Instead, it was the hosts who put the finishing touch on a clinical performance. In the 60th minute, a thunderous strike from Araujo was redirected into the net by Robert Lewandowski, who instinctively stuck out a boot to guide the ball past a helpless Alex Remiro. The Polish forward’s goal sealed the rout and sent the home fans into celebration mode.
From that point onward, Barcelona controlled possession and dictated the tempo, keeping Sociedad at bay and ensuring there were no late surprises. Their fluid attacking play, combined with defensive solidity, sent a clear message to their title rivals: Barcelona are in no mood to relinquish their hold on La Liga’s top spot.
For Sociedad, the night was one to forget. Having beaten Barcelona 1-0 in their last meeting in November, they had hoped to replicate that feat, but Elustondo’s early red card left them fighting an uphill battle. Now, their focus must quickly shift to an even greater challenge: a high-stakes Europa League last-16 showdown against Manchester United on Thursday. A positive result in that encounter is now imperative to restore confidence and keep their European dreams alive.
As for Barcelona, their title charge remains on track. With Flick’s side firing on all cylinders, they’ll be eager to maintain momentum and keep the pressure on Atletico Madrid in what promises to be a thrilling race to the finish line.
