Barcelona travelled to San Sebastian on Saturday knowing that three points against Real Sociedad would move them back to the top of La Liga.
An Alex Song own-goal left Sociedad ahead after 32 minutes, but Lionel Messi levelled moments later to leave the two sides level at the interval.
Sociedad regained the lead in the early stages of the second half through Antoine Griezmann, before David Zurutuza made it 3-1 just before the hour mark.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! The first of our back-to-back live La Liga commentaries comes from San Sebastian as Real Sociedad welcome Barcelona. The home side have a top-four finish in their sights for a second successive season, but the visitors will be looking for the three points to move back to the top of the league table.
TEAMS:
SOCIEDAD: Bravo; Zaldua, Mikel, Inigo, Angel; Elustondo, Bergara, Zurutuza; Griezmann, Vela, Canales
BARCA: Valdes; Montoya, Bartra, Pique, Adriano; Song, Busquets, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Neymar
So there we have it. Sergio Canales starts in an advanced position for Sociedad, with the Spaniard joined by Carlos Vela and Antoine Griezmann in attack. Elustondo and Bergara also come into the XI to provide protection. Barcelona, meanwhile, welcome back Neymar, but Fabregas, Xavi, Sanchez, Mascherano and Dani Alves all drop to the bench.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Barcelona have won three of the last five matches, with Sociedad winning once and the further match ending in a draw. Barcelona recently knocked Sociedad out of the Copa del Rey semi-finals, but the Catalan outfit were beaten 3-2 in the league in this stadium last season.
Sociedad enter the match off the back of a 1-0 win over Malaga last time out, with that result moving them to within four points of the top four. Athletic Bilbao (fourth) and Villarreal (fifth) both lost last weekend, which threw the race for the final Champions League spot wide open. Sociedad will be looking to strengthen their challenge this evening.
The home side have been extremely strong in the league at San Sebastian this season having won seven of their 11 matches, drawing three and losing just once. What's more, they have conceded just seven times at home in the league, which is the joint-best defensive home record alongside title-challengers Atletico Madrid.
Keeping clean sheets has not been a problem for Sociedad this season with nine to their name, but they have conceded 34 times in total. Barcelona, meanwhile, have the second best defensive record with 17 against. Down the other end, Sociedad have found the back of the net on 43 occasions to Barcelona's 69.
Barcelona, meanwhile, enter the match having beaten Manchester City 2-0 in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. As mentioned, they are also into the final of the Copa del Rey and a possible treble is beckoning. Victory this evening would move them above Real Madrid and back to the summit of the division.
Barcelona's away record in the league has been extremely strong this season with eight wins from their 12 matches, losing just once in the process (Athletic Bilbao). However, remarkably, Barcelona have not won at San Sebastian for seven years, which is a record that should not be ignored.
PREDICTION: San Sebastian has not been a happy hunting ground for Barcelona over the last few years and they enter this match with a much-changed XI from the team that beat Manchester City in the week. Sociedad are not exactly in the best of form, but they have home advantage. That said, I am backing a narrow Barcelona win on this warm evening in Spain.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for an entertaining contest at San Sebastian. The home side get the action underway.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening - far from it in fact - but there is a strong atmosphere. Bright start from Sociedad as they immediately pin Barcelona to the edge of their own box, but the move breaks down when Busquets forces Bergara to play all the way back to his own goalkeeper.
End-to-end opening four minutes to this Spanish contest with both sides prepared to force the issue in the final third. However, the referee has been more involved than he perhaps would have liked due to a number of late challenges. The importance of this match cannot be overplayed.
Opportunity for Sociedad to threaten from a free kick as Griezmann is felled by Pique outside the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Griezmann, but his effort is straight into the arms of Valdes. Hardly time to take a breath inside a pulsating six minutes at San Sebastian.
Not too much for Barcelona in terms of attacking pressure thus far with Sociedad controlling the tempo of the match. Montoya is forward for Barca down the right, but the right-back cannot collect a pass from Song. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of contest.
Just a reminder that Barcelona have not won in this stadium for seven years, which is quite incredible. Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the opening 10 minutes, but both sides have shown their willingness to commit players in the final third.
It doesn't look great for Neymar as the Brazilian forward hits the deck following a challenge with Mikel Gonzalez, but he does return to his feet following a period of treatment. The opening 13 minutes of this match have just flown past, but still no real opportunity to speak of. As it stands, Barca are second to Real Madrid in the table.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last few moments with the referee forced to deal with a number of incidents. Sociedad have another chance to deliver into the Barca box, but Valdes comes to claim a Canales cross. Neymar, meanwhile, still appears to be struggling.
Just a few signs that Barcelona are starting to warm to their task with the likes of Pedro, Iniesta and Song seeing more of the ball. However, the champions are finding it difficult to really force the issue in the final third. In truth, it has been a low-key 17 minutes at San Sebastian.
CHANCE! The best chance of the match thus far arrives to Barcelona as Iniesta finds Pedro on the edge of the box, but the Spaniard curls his effort just wide of the post. Not too much from Sociedad in the last five minutes or so.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Sociedad have the ball in the back of the net as Griezmann converts from close range, but the whistle had already been blown with Busquets fouling Zurutuza down the left. The resulting set piece is delivered towards Valdes, but the Barca goalkeeper manages to clear under pressure from Inigo Martinez.
Neither side is really on top at the moment with both sides threatening on the counter attack. Inigo Martinez looks long for Vela, but the Mexican cannot move past the challenge of Pique. Still goalless with 24 minutes on the clock at San Sebastian.
The referee has taken centre stage in the last few moments due to a number of late challenges, which is certainly creating a quick tempo. Neither side has really been able to force the issue in the opening 26 minutes. It is the type of match where the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be all-important.
Neymar is not looking comfortable at the moment as the Barcelona forward continues to trudge around following that early knock. A half-chance for Sociedad arrives as Griezmann finds Vela outside the box, but his effort is just high of the crossbar.
Another half-chance for the home side as Elustondo strikes one from outside the box, but Valdes manages to make the save before Pique clears under pressure from Vela. Barcelona are down the other end with Adriano moments later and the Brazilian full-back wins a corner from Zaldua.
GOAL! Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona (Elustondo)
Sociedad take the lead with 32 minutes on the clock as Elustondo turns home a Canales cross from close range. The home side strike first on their own patch!
You cannot say that it had been coming, but Sociedad have been bright in the opening 35 minutes. Just a reminder that Barcelona have not won in this stadium for seven years and their struggles are continuing. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining on this warm evening in Spain.
GOAL! Sociedad 1-1 Barcelona (Messi)
Brilliant, just brilliant from Messi as the Argentine collects possession on the edge of the box before striking his effort into the bottom corner. That is his 26th goal of the season.
You just get the feeling that Sociedad needed to keep a clean sheet or indeed score a second before the interval. In truth, not too much happened in the early stages this evening, but it has been a pulsating match in the last 10 minutes or so. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Vela to send Sociedad 2-1 ahead following a horror mistake from Pique on the edge of his own box, but the Mexican fires his effort high and wide of the crossbar. What an opportunity.
Another half-chance for the home side and indeed for Vela as the Mexican finds some space in the Barcelona box before attempting the spectacular, but his bicycle kick is high and wide of the crossbar. Positive response from the home side as the first period enters its latter stages.
HALF TIME: Sociedad 1-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 1-1. Sociedad were ahead after 32 minutes when Song turned into his own net from close range, but Messi levelled for Barca moments later. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period at San Sebastian.
STATISTICS: Barcelona have dominated the possession with 62%, but they have managed just two attempts, with their only effort on target bringing their goal. Sociedad, however, have had seven attempts - hitting the target twice. There is no question that the hosts have been the better side in the opening 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Haris Seferovic, Ruben Pardo and Javi Ros. Meanwhile, Barcelona have the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Alexis Sanchez and Cristian Tello on a star-studded bench. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that only three points would see Barcelona return to the top of the table this evening following Real Madrid's 3-0 success over Elche. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that both managers will consider alterations if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. Early chance for Griezmann to threaten in a wide position, but his cross is straight into the arms of Valdes.
Half-chance for Sociedad as Griezmann meets a near-post corner from Canales, but his header is high of the crossbar. Not too much from Barcelona in terms of pressure in the early stages of the half, which was also the case for long periods of the first 45 minutes. It is so delicately poised at San Sebastian.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Iniesta finds some space outside the Sociedad box before delivering towards Pedro, but Zaldua manages to slice clear. Bartra has an opportunity from the resulting corner, but his header is straight into the arms of Bravo as the high tempo continues in the early stages of the second period.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sociedad to regain the lead as Mikel Gonzalez meets a free kick from Canales, but somehow the Spaniard fires his header high and wide of the crossbar. He just had to score. What on earth was Valdes doing?!
GOAL! Sociedad 2-1 Barcelona (Griezmann)
Sociedad regain the lead after 54 minutes as Griezmann turns a Vela cross into the back of the net from close range. Valdes got a touch, but it wasn't enough to deny the Frenchman his 19th goal of the season.
Barcelona look for the immediate reply through Messi, but his header is cleared by Inigo Martinez. Neymar delivers the resulting corner towards Pique, but his header is tipped over by Bravo. Little over 30 minutes of this pulsating La Liga encounter remaining.
End-to-end football as both sides continue to commit numbers in the final third. Zurutuza has a half-chance for Sociedad from a header, but the Spaniard cannot make proper contact. Barcelona are down the other end with Adriano moments later, but Inigo Martinez clears at the vital moment. Stunning match at San Sebastian. Sociedad lead 2-1.
GOAL! Sociedad 3-1 Barcelona (Zurutuza)
Oh my word! Sociedad have their third of the match as Zurutuza beats the offside trap before turning past Valdes following a wonderful pass from Griezmann. The Barcelona defence were nowhere to be seen.
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid supporters will be loving this in the Spanish capital at the moment that is for certain. It is going to take some response for Barcelona to turn this one around. Neymar attempts to force the issue by driving into the box, but he loses possession before fouling Zaldua, who has been terrific this evening.
Barcelona make their first change of the match as Song is replaced by Fabregas, which is not much of a surprise. Just a quick reminder that following this match we have action from Almeria against Malaga - be sure to remain with us for that one. However, there is still plenty more to come from San Sebastian.
CHANCE! Barcelona come close to their second as Adriano strikes one from the edge of the box, but it just deflects off Zaldua and out for a corner. Sociedad break from the resulting set piece, but Pique closes the door at the final moment. Little under 25 minutes of football remaining at San Sebastian.
It must be said that it is wonderful to see Canales in this type of form. It has been a stop-start couple of seasons for the Spaniard, but he seems to have found some consistency at Sociedad after moving from Valencia in the January window. Not too much in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Sociedad comfortable in dealing with the threat from the Catalan outfit.
Griezmann is the intended target from the right foot of Vela, but Valdes is out to collect at the vital moment following a bright run from the Frenchman. Barcelona are down the other end with Messi moments later, but his low effort is blocked by Mikel Gonzalez. End-to-end football with 20 minutes remaining.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe outside the Sociedad box, but they are finding it difficult to really force the issue. Fabregas takes up a wide position before delivering towards Neymar, but Mikel Gonzalez is on hand to turn behind at the vital moment. It remains 3-1 Sociedad with 73 minutes on the clock.
Barcelona make their second change of the match as Sanchez enters the field in place of Montoya. Barcelona have to go for broke this evening. As it stands, victory for Atletico Madrid tomorrow would see the Catalan outfit end the weekend in third. Sociedad respond with a change as Prieto replaces the brilliant Griezmann.
No sign of a Barcelona onslaught at the moment as Sociedad continue to keep possession in the final third. It has been an extremely tired performance from the away side. However, you just get the feeling that there is some late drama in this contest. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Barcelona have just started to turn the screw with two corners in quick succession, but Zaldua and Angel take it in turns to clear the danger. Sanchez delivers a dangerous cross towards Messi moments later, but Angel is on hand to clear once more.
POST! The post saves Victor Valdes and Barcelona as Vela hits the woodwork from inside the box following smart work from Prieto. Finally Barcelona manage to clear after a serious spell of pressure from the home side.
Barcelona have really struggled in defensive areas this evening with Vela's pace too hot to handle. There has not been too much in terms of a response from the Spanish champions, who look tired following their Champions League exploits against Manchester City during the week. Little over five minutes of football remaining.
Sociedad look to their bench for the second time this evening as Ansotegi replaces Canales, who has been just terrific. Comfortable for the home side at the moment as they continue to frustrate Barcelona. This result will go down extremely well in the Spanish capital there is no question about that.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments as Sociedad continue to keep possession in the final third. This result would move them to within one point of the top four, while Barcelona would sit second, but having played one game more than Atletico Madrid. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the first of those. Still no real response from Barcelona aside from a couple of efforts from distance. It has been poor from the champions this evening.
Atletico can join Real Madrid on 63 points at the top of the table should they win at Osasuna tomorrow evening. Sociedad continue to dominate the possession in the latter stages as Barcelona concede a couple of needless free kicks.
Third and final change for the home side as Ruben Pardo replaces Elustondo. However, the Spaniard will not have too much time to make his mark.
FULL TIME: Sociedad 3-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. Sociedad blow the title race wide open with a 3-1 win over Barcelona. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Almeria against Barcelona. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
