MADRID (AP) — A disallowed goal, a fifth hit on the crate and a great save.
On Sunday, it was too much for Barcelona to overcome as they lost 2-1 to Real Sociedad in the Spanish league, ending their winning streak at 11.
Barcelona had three goals canceled in the first half alone, and a penalty kick decision was also canceled after a video review. Five shots hit the woodwork, including Jules Kounde’s close-range header in the 84th minute, with Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro making a series of impressive saves.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said: “Unfortunately, we created a lot of chances.The result doesn’t reflect our game.” “Sometimes that happens. There are days when you put a lot of energy into it and then you just have bad luck at the end. I’m very grateful for what I’ve seen.”
The loss leaves the Catalan club one point behind second-placed Real Madrid. 2-0 victory over Levante At home on Saturday.
Sociedad moved up to 8th place with two consecutive wins.
“There are three great things about it,” Remiro said. He made a great save from close range to deny Robert Lewandowski’s header in the second half.
Mikel Oyarzabal put the hosts ahead in the 32nd minute with a volley at the far post. Barcelona equalized in the 70th minute with a header from Marcus Rashford, but Sociedad took the lead again a minute later when Gonzalo Guedes fired in from inside the area.
Barcelona had many chances throughout the match. Fermin López appeared to have taken the lead in the first few minutes with a low shot from outside the area, but the goal was ruled out after a video review found Dani Olmo fouled Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo during the build-up.
Barcelona had Frenkie de Jong recovered for offside in the 21st minute, and Lamine Yamal scored in the 27th minute.
Yamal was awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time, but the decision was canceled as it was offside.
“We played well and had a lot of chances to score,” De Jong said. “We deserved to win. We need to make sure we take advantage of this opportunity.”
Sociedad’s Carlos Soler was sent off for a hard foul in the 88th minute.
Barcelona had won 11 games in a row in all competitions, including a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia last weekend. They haven’t lost since losing 3-0 at road to Chelsea in the Champions League.
Their last loss in the Spanish league was in October, when they lost 2-1 to Real Madrid in the first Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Barcelona forward Rafinha was not included in the squad for Sunday’s match. João Cancelo had just signed with the Catalan club and made his debut off the bench in the second half.
Kubo had to leave the pitch on a stretcher in the second half due to injury.
Atlético’s Sollos winners
Alexander Sorloth scored early in the second half to give Atletico Madrid a 1-0 home victory over relegation-threatened Alaves.
In the 48th minute, Sorloth fired a solid header from near the penalty spot after Pablo Barrios delivered a cross from the right. The ball hit the post in front of the goal.
This was Sorloth’s 10th start out of 19 league games this season. The Norwegian forward has scored six goals, three of which were headers.
Alaves, without a win in five league games, came close to leveling the score several times in the closing stages of the game at the Metropolitano Stadium in Spain’s capital.
Alaves have lost seven of their last nine league games, with their only win coming in a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in December.
Earlier on Sunday, Valencia moved out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over Getafe thanks to an 84th-minute goal from Jose Gaya.
As a result, Valencia’s league winning streak ended at six. Getafe are without a win in six consecutive league games and have lost five.
Celta Vigo defeated 10-man Rayo Vallecano 3-0 at home. As a result of VAR review, Norbel Mendy was sent off for a hard foul, so the visiting team played with 10 men starting from number 66.
It was Celta’s third straight win, which is in seventh place. Rayo is 13th.
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