Real Sociedad defeated La Liga winners Barcelona 2-1 on the road on Saturday thanks to goals from Mikel Merino and Alexander Sorloth in each half. The result was the Catalan club’s first loss at home this season and came on the same day that they were celebrating winning the league championship.
At Camp Nou, there was a sense of the end of the season as the supporters waited to watch the post-game festivities in which Barca would take the LaLiga trophy. This was because Barca had already secured the league championship.
Merino scored the game’s first goal for Real Sociedad with a neat finish in the fifth minute, ensuring that Real Sociedad would not have it all their own way and that Barca would not have a clean sweep.
They increased their lead with a goal from Sorloth in the 72nd minute, while Robert Lewandowski scored a consolation goal for Barcelona in the 90th minute with a header from close range.
Real Sociedad, who are now in fourth place and have three games remaining to play, increased their point total to 65 and tightened their grip on the last Champions League qualifying slot. They are now five points ahead of Villarreal, who are currently in fifth place and beat Girona 2-1 earlier on Saturday.
Real Madrid are now in second position and have a 14-point deficit to overcome to catch up to champions Barcelona. Real Madrid’s next game is on Sunday away at Valencia. Atletico Madrid currently sits in third place with 69 points.