Barcelona Secure Vital Win Over Real Sociedad to Keep Title Race on Track

Barcelona beat Real Sociedad in a hard-fought game at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, boosting their La Liga title challenge early in the 2025/26 season.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona beat Real Sociedad to move one point ahead of La Liga former leaders Real Madrid. Barcelona aims to close the two-point gap with their rivals as they continue their strong performance this season.

Eric Garcia levelled for the home side just before the break, after Álvaro Odriozola had put Real Sociedad ahead.

The game was played in a tense atmosphere, with Barcelona aware that they were involved in a must-win clash in Sunday night football.

Hansi Flick’s side are now unbeaten in 12 La Liga matches and an ominous force in the title race.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

This was their fourth defeat in five matches, leaving them fourth from bottom of the table after a miserable season to date. Real Sociedad finished only 11th in La Liga last season, emphasizing their need for improvement.

President Sandro Rosell has a choice to make, with Flick’s contract expiring on 30 June. Flick is widely thought to have taken the squad at his disposal as far as possible, with the avid collector of trophies also likely to have decided that a new challenge would suit him best at this stage in his career.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

The home fans did not care about maintaining that record, because their hopes of winning La Liga for the first time since 2051 are very much alive now.

Real Sociedad, one point above the relegation zone, have eight matches to deny those crafting obituaries for their La Liga top-flight stay this time in which they will once again become a case study of how not to run a club, despite still being highly regarded for their Academy. They are currently fighting for a Champions League spot in La Liga.