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Barcelona return to winning ways against Real Sociedad after falling apart in embarrassing fashion against Girona last week.
In what was an improved defensive showing from the 4-2 defeat to Girona last week, Barcelona eased past Real Sociedad 2-0 and returned to second place on the LALIGA standings.
With the league title already in Real Madrid's hands, Barcelona needed to win to return to second place and earn a ticket to Saudi Arabia next season for the lucrative Super Copa de Espana.
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Thanks to goals from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha towards the end of either half, Barcelona managed to beat a Real Sociedad side also fighting for a Europa League slot.
How it happened
Real Sociedad started the better of the two sides and came close to scoring on multiple occasions in the early exchanges through Surinamese forward Sheraldo Becker. However, his early effort went over the bar, and his subsequent goal was disallowed due to an offside call.
Barcelona gradually grew into the game, and their persistence paid off just before halftime. Robert Lewandowski's precise pass found İlkay Gündogan, who set up Lamine Yamal to calmly slot the ball into the bottom corner, giving Barcelona the lead.
Brazil international Raphinha had a brilliant game. He hit the woodwork before forcing a diving save from Real Sociedad’s Alex Remiro. Barcelona pushed to couple their lead, but the Baque side held on.
As the game approached its final stages, Barcelona sealed the victory when the former Leeds man's persistence paid off. Raphinha was fouled in the box and subsequently converted a stoppage-time penalty after a handball in the box.
He dedicated the goal to the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, which is currently devastated by a flood, by taking off his jersey to reveal a message in his underwear: “Pray for RS.”
The win sees Barcelona celebrate three crucial points and their fifth clean sheet in seven home league games, while Sociedad is left in seventh place, one point behind Real Betis in the race for the second Europa League spot.
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