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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
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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