Yamal’s Surprise Return Sparks Barcelona Comeback Thriller Against Real Sociedad

Okay, so here’s the scoop: Barcelona seized a golden moment after Real Madrid got absolutely dismantled by Atletico Madrid, propelling themselves to the top of LaLiga – though I’ll admit, the 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad wasn’t exactly a masterclass. The scene was set at the Olympic Stadium, with the reigning champions well aware that beating Sociedad would catapult them above their archrivals following that brutal 5-2 thrashing Madrid endured on Saturday. Things got spicy when Lamine Yamal made his comeback after nursing a groin injury for four games, but shockingly Barca found themselves trailing thanks to Odriozola’s close-range finish just past the half-hour mark. Still, they managed to claw back before halftime with Kounde’s towering header from Rashford’s corner, and it was Yamal’s impeccable vision that led to Lewandowski’s match-winner shortly before the hour mark – a fine moment that nudged the Blaugrana to LaLiga’s summit and set the stage for their upcoming showdown with PSG. LEARN MORE

Barcelona took advantage of Real Madrid’s hammering at the hands of Atletico Madrid as they moved top of LaLiga, albeit with an unconvincing 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.

The defending champions approached the game at the Olympic Stadium knowing they had the chance to leapfrog their arch rivals after they were crushed 5-2 by Atletico on Saturday.

Barca were boosted by the return of Lamine Yamal to the squad after four games out with a groin injury, but they stunningly fell behind in the 31st minute when Alvaro Odriozola turned in from point-blank range in the 31st minute.

However, Barca restored parity shortly before half-time when Jules Kounde headed in Marcus Rashford’s corner, and it was Yamal who set up what proved to be the Barcelona, his cross steered in off the post by Robert Lewandowski just shy of the hour mark to send the Blaugrana to the summit.

Barcelona v Real Sociedad

Sociedad started brightly and threatened in the ninth minute when Mikel Oyarzabal headed narrowly wide, before their goalkeeper Alex Remiro was required to make a fine save at the other end to deny Marcus Rashford.

Remiro then thwarted Roony Bardghji with a fine reflex save, and Barca were then caught out when Ander Barrenetxea worked some space on the left and whipped the ball in for Odriozola to prod home.

Barca responded in typical fashion, Pedri seeing an effort cleared off the line before Remiro again frustrated Bardghji with another excellent stop.

Yet Barca’s pressure told as Kounde levelled matters, rising high to power home Rashford’s delivery at the near post.

Yamal was brought on for Bardghji in the 58th minute and needed just one minute to make an impact, surging down the right and standing up a perfectly weighted cross for Lewandowski to head in.

The excellent Remiro repelled long-range efforts from Rashford and Dani Olmo to keep Sociedad within touching distance before Yamal put the ball in the net, only for his effort to be ruled out by the offside flag.

Sociedad were not finished as a threat in an entertaining contest, though, and Takefusa Kubo crashed a close-range effort against the crossbar, with Lewandowski then doing the same at the other end.

Yet the Pole still proved the Barcelona match winner, sending them into a mouthwatering Champions League clash with holders Paris Saint-Germain on a high.