New Delhi: FC Barcelona thrashed Real Sociedad 4-0 on Sunday, reclaiming the top spot in La Liga with a powerful performance at the Spotify Camp Nou. An early red card for Sociedad’s Aritz Elustondo gave Hansi Flick’s team a considerable lead, allowing Gerard Martin, Marc Casado, Ronald Araujo, and Robert Lewandowski to score in an easy victory.
Real Sociedad are currently ranked ninth and started well but were caught offside by Barcelona, with Sergio Gomez’s goal ruled out early on. Barcelona playmaker Pedro Gonzalez almost capitalised on a mistake by Sociedad custodian Alex Remiro but his deflection went just over the net. The game’s defining moment came in the 17th minute when Elustondo was sent off for dragging down Dani Olmo, who was on his way to goal.
Barcelona took advantage and opened the lead eight minutes later when Olmo crossed to Martin, who scored his first senior goal. Four minutes later, Olmo was involved again and this time the ball deflected off Marc Casado and into the net giving Barcelona their second goal and Casado his first. The teenage Lamine Yamal continued to impress as he set up Pedri’s shot from the edge of the box, which was saved.
First goal celebration ever 😍🫶 #BarçaRealSociedad | #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/dDFB6Vy0Kr
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 2, 2025
In the second half, Pedri came even closer, knocking the crossbar from a distance. Soon after that, in the 56th minute Ronald Araujo made it 3-0, responding quickly after Remiro parried Lewandowski’s header from a corner. Lewandowski then completed the score with a wonderful finish, deflecting Araujo’s low drive past the goalkeeper. The 36-year-old currently tops the La Liga scoring rankings with 21 goals in 25 games. Barcelona controlled the final 30 minutes, though substitute Ferran Torres came close to scoring a fifth goal twice.
What next?
On Saturday, Atletico Madrid temporarily knocked the Catalans off their throne with a victory over Athletic Bilbao while Real Madrid lost ground in the title race with a loss to Real Betis. Flick made some changes before Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 trip to Benfica on Wednesday but the club still managed to pull one point clear of Atletico and three ahead of their arch-rivals Real Madrid with 57 points from 26 games.
🔝‼️ pic.twitter.com/HSJ89J3pTO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 2, 2025
Hansi Flick side will now shift focus to their Champions League last-16 first leg against Benfica on Wednesday as they look to continue their pursuit of silverware across all competitions.
Barcelona’s dominating triumph over Real Sociedad puts them back on top, edging Atletico Madrid by a point and extending their lead over Real Madrid to three. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
