MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 05:55:46| >> :120:18190:18190:
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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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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico19135134122244
2Real Madrid19134243192443
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal198653431330
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad198471713428
8GironaGirona198472725228
9Rayo Vallecano196762222025
10Real BetisBetis196762123-225
11Osasuna196762328-525
12Celta Vigo197392830-224
13Sevilla196582128-723
14Las PalmasLas Palmas196492429-522
15Getafe194781316-319
16Leganes194781829-1119
17AlavesAlaves1945102131-1017
18Espanyol1944111731-1416
19Real ValladolidValladolid1943121337-2415
20Valencia1927101829-1113


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