Lewandowski Winner Sends Barcelona Top After Comeback Win Over Sociedad

Robert Lewandowski’s second-half header completed a 2-1 comeback victory for Barcelona over Real Sociedad on Sunday, a hard-fought win that sends the Catalan club to the top of the LaLiga table.

Jules Kounde had earlier cancelled out Alvaro Odriozola’s surprise first-half opener as the reigning champions secured their sixth win in seven league matches. The result moves Barcelona to 19 points, one clear of rivals Real Madrid, while a struggling Real Sociedad remain on five points.

The decisive goal arrived in the 58th minute, less than 60 seconds after substitute Lamine Yamal entered the match. Returning from a groin injury, the 18-year-old winger beat his defender before delivering a cross for Lewandowski, who directed a header in off the post to seal the three points.

Barcelona had fallen behind on the half-hour mark against the run of play. Ander Barrenetxea found space in the penalty area and squared the ball to an unmarked Odriozola, who finished from close range. Odriozola was only in the starting lineup after defender Jon Aramburu sustained an injury during the pre-match warm-up.

Despite dominating possession, Barcelona initially struggled to break down the visitors, with Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro making key saves to deny Marcus Rashford and Roony Bardghji.

However, the hosts found an equaliser just before the break. In the 43rd minute, a corner from Rashford found Kounde, and the French defender made no mistake, powering a header into the net.

The match finished with a frantic final period as both sides came close to scoring again. Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo saw a powerful shot strike the crossbar in the 84th minute, and just a minute later, Lewandowski was denied a second goal when his own effort also came back off the woodwork.

“It was a team victory. They knew how to play and it was hard work, but we deserved it,” Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said in his post-match comments.

With a fifth consecutive win in all competitions secured, Barcelona’s attention now turns to a midweek Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.

“It’s good, but it’s a long road ahead… tomorrow we will start focusing all our attention on PSG,” Flick added.