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Real Sociedad logo
La Liga
Feb 22, 2014 at 7pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

3-1

Song (32' og.), Griezmann (54'), Zurutuza (59')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Messi (36')

Barcelona fail to close gap on Real Madrid at top of La Liga

Barcelona lose 3-1 against Real Sociedad to leave Real Madrid three points clear at La Liga summit.

Barcelona have failed to cut the gap on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, losing 3-1 against Real Sociedad.

Madrid climbed to the summit with victory earlier today, but Gerardo Martino's men were unable to do likewise at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian.

Real Sociedad's French forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Real Sociedad vs FC Barcelona at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on February 22, 2014© Getty Images

Sociedad looked to have taken the lead with 22 minutes played, but Antoine Griezmann's goal from close range was ruled out due to the referee blowing his whistle for an earlier infringement.

Barca had a big opportunity to take the lead through Pedro, but the Spaniard curled his effort wide of the post from the edge of the box after being picked out by Andres Iniesta.

A frantic five-minute spell soon followed, with the hosts taking the lead courtesy of Gorka Elustondo, who turned home a Sergio Canales cross.

Moments later the Spanish champions levelled through Lionel Messi, as the Argentine bagged his 26th goal of the season with an effort into the bottom corner of the net.

Sociedad regained their advantage 10 minutes after the restart when Griezmann converted Carlos Vela's cross to beat Victor Valdes, who managed to get a touch to the ball on its way through.

It soon got even better for the home side after David Zurutuza beat the offside trap before turning past Valdes to make it 3-1.

Barcelona pushed on for a goal, but it was Jagoba Arrasate's side who came closest to adding to the scoreline, with only the post denying Vela from making it 4-1 with less than 10 minutes remaining.

The defeat leaves the Catalan club three points adrift of leaders Real at the top of La Liga, while Atletico Madrid are level on 60 points in third place with a game in hand.

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Real Sociedad's midfielder Xabi Prieto during the Spanish league football match against Athletic Bilbao on January 5, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Villarreal177642928127
6Mallorca188371821-327
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Osasuna176742225-325
10Real BetisBetis176652021-124
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
13Celta Vigo176382528-321
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512
20Valencia162591424-1011


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