Real Sociedad delivered a huge statement in LaLiga with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Barcelona at the Reale Arena, moving up to eighth in the table and putting the Spanish champions’ title hopes under pressure. Barcelona remain just a point ahead of main rivals Real Madrid, but their grip on the league appears far from secure.

Sociedad came out with clear intent to avoid repeating their poor recent record against Barcelona, having lost 19 of their previous 22 encounters. The hosts nearly made the perfect start, seeing a goal chalked off after just 28 seconds, before Pedri forced an early save from Alex Remiro at the other end.

Within seven minutes, Fermin Lopez looked to have put Sociedad ahead, but a VAR review ruled a foul in the build-up. Frenkie de Jong then had a goal ruled out for offside, while Dani Olmo squandered a clear chance from 10 yards. Even Lamine Yamal had a fourth “goal” of the half disallowed, leaving fans frustrated but tense.

The breakthrough eventually came just after the half-hour mark. Out of almost nothing, Mikel Oyarzabal volleyed in at the far post to give Sociedad the lead. A Barcelona penalty awarded in stoppage time of the first half was overturned by VAR, ending a chaotic opening 45 minutes as it had begun.

Barcelona began the second half brightly. Dani Olmo struck the post two minutes after the restart, and Remiro was forced into a sharp save to deny Ferran Torres. Yet Sociedad’s defence held firm, forcing a triple substitution from Barcelona just after the hour mark.

The visitors finally found an equaliser through Marcus Rashford, who headed home 20 minutes from time. But their joy was short-lived. Within a minute, Gonçalo Guedes capitalised on some lax defending from Barcelona to restore Sociedad’s lead.

Barcelona struggled to respond. Pau Cubarsí’s goal-line clearance, following a rare error from Joan Garcia, kept Sociedad from extending the advantage, while Jules Kounde’s powerful header rebounded off the crossbar. Late drama saw Carlos Soler’s yellow card for a foul on Pedri upgraded to a red, giving Barcelona a numerical advantage in the closing stages.

Even with nine minutes of stoppage time, Barcelona came close through Rashford, who hit the post from a corner, but it was not to be. Sociedad held on for a famous win, remaining unbeaten at home against Barcelona in their last two fixtures. The defeat also prevented Barcelona from matching their 10 successive league wins last achieved in March 2016, leaving their title bid hanging in the balance.