Real Sociedad vs Barcelona, live online: Araujo VAR, score, goals & highlights | LaLiga EA Sports 2023/24
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona: as it happened
Full-time thoughts:
Narrator's voice: I have ripped up my 'the best 0-0 draw of the season' piece to write this off the cuff:
The faces of the blue and white shirts at full time say it all: the performance that Real Sociedad put in against Barcelona only had one outcome - or so we thought.
La Real dominated every aspect of the game against their Catalan rivals, and somehow the away side escaped with three points after a late, late, header from Araujo.
Imanol Alguacil's side put in what looked like the best team performance of the season but it was not to be. "If there is a way to lose, then I prefer it to be like this", said Oyarzabal at full-time, his face was as you would imagine it to be, with his bottom lip almost touching the floor.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen rightfully got the MVP award after saving a number of chances for the home side who pressed and pushed and delighted with twisting, uncontrollable movements that caused the stripes on Barcelona's shirts to fire off in all directions.
Xavi threw the dice over and over again, changing players and tweaking the system in repeated attempts to neutralise the onslaught, but nothing worked.
Eventually, when the pressure stopped, with a few minutes to go and Real Sociedad couldn't run any more, Gundogan's lofted ball met Araujo who was just onside and his close-range header agonisingly crossed the line to give the defending champions a win that keeps them in the race for the top.
Post-match interview:
It feels spectacular to win like that. They went at 200% and we didn't. Here they do that, they press you. We suffered.
Football can't be explained sometimes. Sometimes you don't deserve to win and you do. Maybe we had a post-Clásico hangover.
I asked if anyone was tired at half-time. They said 'no'. So we carried on with the same eleven.
They were more intense and we didn't create a lot of chances, we weren't comfortable. But it is such an important win for the group. We didn't want the draw, we never do.
Pedri, Ferran, Lamine and Raphinha come on, we wanted to win. We were more comfortable in the final 15 and they are 3 vital points.
Pedri will change up the midfield for us, they were nvery good and Pedri coming back is very good news for us and him.
Post-match interview:
It was tough, we knew they would play well, they have for years.
We knew they'd go man to man and it was so tough.
In the last 10 minutes we had more chances than in the rest of the game and we finally scored. It's not easy to play here.
Post-game interview
Three very important points after the loss in EL Clásico. We knew it would be tough, they're a great team, it's why they're in Champions League.
They pressed us well, we couldn't play our game. They found the exit ball, we worked on it but it was tough for us. Theses are three important points.
We changed our build up at half-time and the movements, which we didn't do well. The team came out with a different attitude. A draw would have been fair, they had great chances, but this is football and I'm happy for my goal.
They had hardly any chances but scored one. We have to look forward and look at the next game.
We were better than them, but we didn't finish our chances, they didn't create anything, but they scored. It's a shame.
The referees do their job, just the same as we do. If it wasn't a penalty, it's because it wasn't enough.
If you have to lose, I prefer to lose like this. Surely there are things we can take into the next game.
Full-time!
WHAT A GAME.
Cho gets a cross in but it's way too high...
Into the fifth minute of added time as La Real launch a final attack.
Amazing. Replays show that Araujo was indeed in line with the last player back for La Real, who are heartbroken.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL
ARAUJO'S GOAL IS GIVEN
HEARTBREAK FOR LA REAL
Gundogan's chipped ball over the top was met by Araujo who headed past Remiro... we've got a VAR check. It looks incredibly tight.
OFFSIDE
Nobody is leaving early to get out of the car park. It's too tense to move.
3 added minutes.
First it's Araujo who sees his long-range shot saved and spilled but seconds later Gavi gets on the end of a loose ball on the penalty spot and he hits it low... Remiro somehow gets a touch and the ball bounces out!
REMIRO AGAIN!!!!
SAVE FROM REMIRO
The fans who still have the power in their throats to vocalise manage to shout 'ooohh' as Brais dances before sliding the ball through Balde's legs on the right wing. The full-back makes up for leaving the garden gate open by scrambling back to recover possession just in time.
Cho gets down the left wing but Araujo is a match for the substitute and forces the ball out for a goal kick with some superb shepherding.
Barcelona break up the other end of the pitch and Ferran goes for glory, but not before falling over and spooning his effort into the top row of the stadium.
Ferran steals the ball and turns to run at goal but Zubimendi gets in front of his shot to calm the nerves of the fans who have no fingernails left.
Barcelona are launching a cheeky bit of pressure here in the final few minutes of the game... will they manage to get anything out of it?
Barcelona get a corner but La Real want a free-kick. They think Aihen was shoved over. Nada, says the referee.
Zubimendi literally takes one for the team by bringing down Raphinha as the Brazilian breaks through the middle of the pitch.
The stadium erupts in applause and songs towards their captain, who has run himself into the ground.
Carlos Fernández ON
Oyarzabal OFF
Cho's cross is misplaced and Barcelona recover but it's the Frenchman who zips back to rob Lamine Yamal who is racing down the wing. Fantastic defending.
Groans of frustration as fatigue hits Oyarzabal's legs and he runs the ball out of play on the right while going up against Balde.
The intensity from everyone on the pitch has been superb, and although energy levels are low, both sides still want to win this.
Cho ON
Barrenetxea OFF
The pressure from the home side has finally dropped off, which is giving Barcelona a much easier time in their defensive third as they try to build up. We've got justover 10 minutes to go.
Barcelona seem to have been given a second wind by the changes, or they know Xavi is going to be an angry man come full time if things stay the way they are...
The Brazilian goes for the shot but he doesn't surprise Remiro, who watches the effort whizz over the goal.
Barça have a dangerous free-kick, 33 yards out on the left side. Raphinha to swing in...
Zublediagets a booking as he stops Barcelona's counter with a hand.
This time it's from the right, and Take slides a delicious ball into the six-yard box, where somehow Pedri (not Araujo) gets a foot in to smash the cross away as hundreds of Real Sociedad players slide in to score from a yard out!
ANOTHER AMAZING CHANCE
ARAUJO SAVES BARCELONA
Huge save from Ter Stegen!
The winger smashed a dropping ball on the volley and the German goalkeeper got downs superbly well to stop the fireball!
WHAT A SHOT FROM BARRENE
Twenty minutes to go as Barcelona lose yet another ball in buildup.
37,555 shouty voices inside the Reale Arena tonight.
Raphinha & Lamine Yamal ON
João Félix & Cancelo OFF
Watching La Real attack is like seeing a pod of dolphins twist and turn through the water. Delightful play again from the home side, who can't find the final ball.
VAR says no foul; as you were.
Oyarzabal was played in behind by Merino and was sandwiched between Kounde and Iñigo... we've got a VAR check.
REFEREE SAYS NO
A HUGE PENALTY SHOUT FOR REAL SOCIEDAD
Crosses are being peppered into the Barcelona box and somehow a yellow shirt gets on every ball. It's unsustainable for Barcelona who have let their grip slip on proceedings.
Elustondo ON
Traoré OFF
Wow. Between Take Kubo and Brais Méndez, the two have just shown Barcelona what playing football is. Exquisite touches all across the edge of the box manage to keep the ball in play and under control as the Catalan side chase them round and round in circles. Delightful.
Barrene gets a head on the cross from the right but Araujo clears and Barcelona survive.
Iñigo Martínez is rightly booked by Mr. Referee.
Ouch. Iñigo goes in late on Oyarzabal near the right corner flag and the home fans are not happy with that.
Check over, no idea why that was.
And Pedri is on the pitch for the first time since August!
The night is over for both Fermín and Lewandowski, who must have had 10 touches between them all game...
Ferran & Pedri ON
Lewandowski & Fermín OFF
Changes incoming for the away side.
Spoiler: it's offside, but that might be one of the best passes I've seen all season...
Zubimendi swooped the ball up and over the defence with the outside of his boot and it landed with Take Kubo, whose shot was smashed just wide of the near post.
The training ground move is snuffed out by La Real who break with Zubimendi and Merino: the home side regain the control in the middle of the pitch and spread wide to Kubo.
The winger plays inside and it lands with Brais, who sees his weak shot from the edge of the box saved at the far post by Ter Stegen.
Félix goes down like a sack of potatoes after crashing into Zubeldia as Barça launch an attack. Free-kick given to the away side close to the two managers on the sideline.
The pace of the game from the first half was always going to be difficult to top, and it seems that the second half is a lot more evenly balanced in the opening stages, with both sides keen for a little calm.
Brais Méndez gets a booking for reacting badly to being fouled by Félix, who is on a mission to wind up the opposition.
João Félix complains as Traoré declares he doesn't like a particular football at a throw-in and goes in search of another.
Barcelona start with possession of the ball, and a long ball over the top almost finds Lewandowski. Remiro races out to punch away.
Pedri and Ferran are warming up for Barcelona...
Second half underway!
No changes for either side.
It's La Real who are first out of the tunnel; let's see if we get any changes...
The players are in the tunnel!
We're almost ready to go for the second half!
Half-time stats:
Real Sociedad - Barcelona
xG: 0.61 - 0.12
Shots: 8-3
Shots on target: 4-1
Possession: 52-48
Shots inside box: 6-1
Goals prevented: 0.07-1.39
Accurate passes: 87%-87%
Clearances: 7-14
Half-time thoughts:
I genuinely can't remember all the chances the home side have had, but the dominance has been utterly one-sided and unstoppable.
Every pass, every run, every rotation, every dribble and every decision has been correct from a La Real side who could easily be three goals ahead on the night. Pure luck and great goalkeeping has kept Barcelona in this game and Xavi has to change something if he wants to get a grip on proceedings.
The Catalan midfield has been overrun and I'm not sure poor Fermín has even seen what shape the ball is tonight. The Joãos have had a couple of half chances but it has been all Real Sociedad, who have played some stunning football all across the pitch.
Half-time!
Go have a quick drink of water and get back for the second half!
Hearts in mouths as Barcelona break and João Félix dances his way to the byline, but his cross is misplaced and Remiro's strong hands eventually stop the move.
Barça wants a penalty after Félix went down under a challenge, but it looked very weak...
Xavi still looks like he's just realised that he hasn't recorded Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares later tonight. The man is both panicked and angry.
The whistles are coming from the crowd who are not happy with the away side seeing so much of the ball in the closing stages of the first half.
Barcelona's longest spell of possession so far (about 35 seconds) ends as Kubo races back to steal from Balde, who was trying his luck against Traoré.
Five more minutes of hell to go for Barça.
Somehow Barcelona manage to clear another low cross from Kubo but I can't stress how delightful this play is from Real Sociedad. They are finding spaces all throughout Barcelona's structure and the away side simply cannot recover the ball: their attempts at tackles are two seconds too late every time and their opponents have already created a chance to score before they manage to get into any sort of decent defensive shape.
Right-back Traoré sees his name in lights and smashes a long-range shot way over the bar. Imanol Alguacil asks for calm from the bench.
The confidence is flowing through the blue and white stripes like rivers up and down their bodies: Zubimendi, after toying with the ball on the edge of his box, goes on a mazy run through the middle of the pitch, skipping, spinning and swirling around challenges before being fouled.
A breather and a welcome break for Barça after Zubimendi fouls on the edge of the Barça box.
Aihen's shot from a tight angle is smashed at Ter Stegen's hands and the ball is somehow poked away from the goalmouth after a huge scramble on the line!
JUST WIDE!!!!
AND NOBODY KNOWS HOW
Corner number three in three minutes for Alguacil's side, who are keeping Barça locked into their own box...
The corner comes to nothing but they immediately win another. Runs from all angles cause Barcelona more problems and Balde scoops the ball from under Traoré's feet near the touchline as the right-back looks to get into a position to cross.
Real Sociedad win a corner after some stunning build-up play by pretty much everyone except the goalkeeper. They've got Barcelona chasing shadows in the middle third of the pitch.
Sighs of relief from the crowd as João Cancelo cuts inside and smashes a wild effort that twists and turns through the air, flying just over Remiro's crossbar.
Barrene, who cuts in from the left, has a shot that is misplaced and flying wide of the far post, but Kubo's late run almost sees him stick a toe on the ball and poke past Ter Stegen - he can't make contact.
CHANCE LA REAL
Poor Fermín looks like a 3-legged wildebeest in a film about animal migration - will he survive or be picked off by predators? At the moment, it's not going well for the youngster, who is being pressed into oblivion every time he thinks about touching the ball.
La Real rob him again and it's Take Kubo who tries his luck from the edge of the box, but it's blocked well by Iñigo.
Barça thought they were putting together a nice move and forcing the home side back, but it ends when Balde is caught offside after Gundogan's chipped pass over the top is called back.
Possession so far: RSO 54-46 BAR
It's been all La Real until now...
Two quick corners for the away side relieve some of the pressure from the blue and white stripes. This time it's Balde who sees his shot blocked from a long way out.
Barcelona win a corner after a nice chance created by Gavi, who skipped past left-back Aihen into the box before seeing his low cross cleared out of play.
Barrene's cross was met by Take Kubo who crossed back from the right and Ter Stegen was forced into sticking a leg out before the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Traoré raced with the ball back towards goal once again, skipping past Balde but his cross was misplaced and hit Brais on the heel.
TER STEGEN AGAIN
Merino burts forward but Gavi's toe was long enough to tip the ball from under his feet as the Real Sociedad midfielder reached the edge of the Catalans' box. Another good chance for La Real to do damage.
This game will be setting off geiger counters, richter scales, fire alarms, the lot. Not to mention the amount of heart rate warnings fans will be receiving from smartwatches across the ground.
Aihen clears the Barça cross from the left as the away side finally make it across halfway with some purpose. La Real break with Take Kubo but Xavi's side screech back at full speed to block them out by pure numbers.
A whole minute without a chance on goal, imagine that...
The ball is cleared and Barrene lifts it back in from where it came, but the cross is too high and spins over the onlooking heads.
Aihen is hobbling like a grandma, but he's back on the pitch. Real Sociedad have a free-kick on the left which is about to be swung in by Brais.
Speaking of Araujo, he steps in just in time as Oyarzabal looks to be away down the left wing. The ball runs loose and the Barça full-back goes in a bit too hard on Aihen, who looks to have hurt his knee in the crunching tackle.
Barcelona are in a back four with Kounde partnering Iñigo and Araujo on the right. Cancelo is sitting just ahead of the Uruguayan.
La Real break again, but Traoré's ball across the pitch to Oyarzabal was too heavy and Barça get a breather - OK, a throw-in - inside their own half.
My, oh my. The start to this game has been simply superb from the home side, who have the entire crowd kicking every ball. Xavi looks like he's just seen a thousand ghosts in his bathroom.
MERINO HEADS JUST WIDE!
AND ANOTHER!!!
Wow, this is electric from the home side.
The ball is played in behind the Barça defence and Oyarzabal flicks a shot from close range around Ter Stegen that bends round the outside of the post!
ANOTHER CHANCE FOR LA REAL
It's the home side who start off on fire, pressing Barcelona like crazy and winning the ball high up the pitch. It's switched to the left where Aihen smacks a ferocious effort from the edge of the box to Ter Stegen's bottom right corner, but the goalkeeper gets a huge hand to it.
THIRTY SECONDS IN
HUGE SAVE FROM TER STEGEN
And we're off!
Barcelona get us going from left to right.
It might be the first week of the year that people in Spain have taken out the electric blankets and cozy winter clothes, but the atmosphere is white hot inside the Reale Arena! We've just had an incredible rendition of the club anthem ahead of kick-off, which is finally here!
Here come the two teams!
Not sure about the crowd, who looked pretty up for the football, but the man with the guitar is absolutely loving the show.
In other news, the players are now waiting in the tunnel for him to finish.
We've got a pre-game light show and a man in the centre circle with an electric guitar...
Reale Arena is ready!
The final team talks are underway as we wait for the players to emerge from the dressing rooms!
Fifteen minutes to go!
Here he is, boy-wonder Pedri is finally back and smiling ahead of huge tie at the top of the table. Let's see if Xavi decides to use him at some point during the game tonight.
Juan Herrero / EFE
Who to watch:
Take Kubo is my one to watch for today's game. The Japanese forward has had a long career in Spanish football despite being just 22-years-old, and finally looks to have found his home in San Sebastián.
The player came from Japan as a child to join Barça before moving to Madrid where things didn't work out. He spent time on loan at various clubs but it now appears that the potential we all hoped he would show if finally gracing stadiums across the country.
He's one of LaLiga's most dangerous players and Alejandro Balde is up for a tough time if Take Kubo finds his feet from the get go.
Pre-game interview:
Against Barça, you know they'll have the ball, but both of us want it. It's a chess game. We know what we need to do against them, it will be a great game, a hotly-contested affair.
Just half an hour to go!
The players have just stepped out onto the pitch for the pre-game warm up to a huge noise from the excited crowd!
A reminder of the starting XIs:
Real Sociedad:
Remiro
Aihen - Le Normand - Zubeldia - Traoré
Barrene - Merino - Zubimendi - Brais
Oyarzabal - Take Kubo
Barcelona:
Ter Stegen
Iñigo - Kounde - Araujo
Cancelo - Gundogan - Fermín - Balde
Gavi - Lewandowski - Félix
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Barça’s defeat in the Clásico came as a huge blow for the side as they truly saw it as a moment to show Madrid that their lead over them at the very top was in danger of collapse.
However, a brace from Bellingham reminded Barcelona that even if Madrid haven’t got the star quality up front like they did last season, it’s still possible for the side from the capital to win games through sheer mental strength and the badge on their shirts.
Barça dominated in the first half and the two teams went into the break with very different opinions on how the game was going to play out, but Madrid are most dangerous when they look most vulnerable, and last weekend was once again another perfect example of the winning mentality that has characterised them for decades.
Under an hour to go!
If you've just joined us, here's how things look in LaLiga after 11 games.
La Real can climb up close to Barça with a win but 3 points for the Catalans would put them within touching distance of Real Madrid, who are second behind Girona (and play tomorrow vs Rayo Vallecano, which you can also follow live with myself).
Xavi's Barça team:
So, that Xavi XI has given us all something to think about in the build up to the game.
The coach may go with a 3-4-3 with Kounde, Araujo and Iñigo holding the fort with Balde and Cancelo ahead of them, or we could see Cancelo as a right winger in a 4-3-3 with Kounde taking up a role on the right of defence.
Whatever it is, the plethora of options Xavi has in his side will keep La Real guessing until kick-off.
Real Sociedad XI:
It's a 4-4-2 from Imanol Alguacil who goes with Take Kubo and Oyarzabal up top.
Barça XI announced!
Here's how Xavi has chosen to line up. It could be a 3-4-3 or Cancelo may be on the right wing with one of Kounde or Araujo at right-back. Let's see.
Barcelona pre-game press conference:
We need to reset at a difficult ground. We're angry, we're raging inside, but we have to make amends for our mistakes. It's the small details that matter, we can't afford to have any more lapses in concentration.
This will be a difficult test. Imanol Alguacil does a wonderful job, he gets intensity and good football from his players. As for us, we need to make higher demands of ourselves and keep humbly working on to cut down the four-point difference on the leaders.
This game is the ideal scenario to demonstrate that we can do it. We always pursue excellence. FC Barcelona never settle for anything else.
We have a healthy, noble squad. I am happy with the work and willingness of all the players. We have players that are hungry to win. And having Pedri back is really good news for the team. He is a capital player for getting us to play the way we want to.
ISABEL INFANTES / REUTERS
Who's the ref?
The man with the whistle today is AlberolaRojas (1991), who has the pleasure of leading the team of officials in northern Spain in what is his seventh season as a referee.
In the VAR room, things will be headed up by Del Cerro Grande, from Madrid.
Barça make their way to Anoeta
OK, I know it's now called the Reale Arena, but I miss calling it Anoeta. Anyway, Barça are on their way there and you'll notice Robert Lewandowski in the mix, who has been a huge loss for the side overthepast few games.
Ex-Barça boy Messi took home Ballon d'Or number 8 in his illustrious career while Aitana Bonmatí took the women’s award after a stellar season with the blaugrana and Spain.
Take a look atwho voted for whoin the men's and women's Ballon d'Or vote list.
We've got a poll going on over on the socials
Real Sociedad, Barça, or a split points share, have your say on how the game will go today!
Also, come and say hello to me (Joe) at @English_AS / @j4brennan
Real Sociedad have had plenty of positive results over Barça...
Over the past years, games away to Real Sociedad in Spain's rainy north was a terrible day out for the Catalans, who did not win any of their league and cup games in San Sebastián between2011and2016.
However, recently Barça have had the upper hand, turning things around and going undefeated in 8. They have also scored 15 goals in their last four visits to the Reale Arena.
The dressing room is ready for the blaugrana!
Despite the name, Barça are not in their typical red and blue today. Instead, they'll be wearing a shirt you surely recognise as it's one they've had for a few years.
The red stripes on the yellow background is the same as the Cataluña flag, which is the region of Spain of which Barcelona is the capital.
How the table looks:
There’s a distinct lack of Madrid and Barça at the top of the tree, with the currentleaders the not-so-noisy neighbours Girona, on 31 points.
Míchel’s side have raced their way into the fold at the top of LaLiga with simply fantastic performances that manage to duck and wave their way to three points most weeks, even if they don’t have their best game.
But confidence is a huge thing in football, and Girona have plenty.
Barça sit well below them on 24 points after 11 games, with the wounds of the Clásico still hurting plenty.
RealSociedad look like their main challengers for a Champions League place and if Girona keep it up along with Betis who are currently riding a huge wave of fun and games led by Isco (yes, that one), then it’s certainly going to be a squeeze come the end of the season.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 28 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 25 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | 24 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| 5 | 20 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| 6 | 19 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Team news: Barcelona
Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal all returned against Real Madrid, and it’s the latter who is the only one of the three who is set to start on the bench.
As for the Pole and the Brazilian, it would be no surprise to see them return in order to get match fit and simultaneously give some rest to the youngsters who have more than propped up the side while the big boys have been out.
Sergi Roberto and Frenkie are still out but there is one name who stands out in the squad list like a diamond in the mud: Pedri.
Yes, the midfield maestro is back and has a point to prove after finally returning from an injury that he suffered on August 20, 71 days ago. He’s expected to start on the bench, but it’s likely he gets onto the pitch at some point.
Team news: Real Sociedad
Mikel Merino, Ander Barrenetxea and Zubeldia have spent the week wrapped in cotton wool ahead of today’s tie, and they have all made the squad and are in line to start the game.
Kieran Tierney and Andre Silva are out, as is Jon Pacheco, who got injured in the midweek Copa del Rey game against Buñol.
Welcome!
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening. Welcome along to the AS USA live coverage of match day 12 of the LaLiga EA Sports season. It's Joe here for more Spanish football fun.
We’ve got another intriguing tie to look forward to today as Real Sociedad host current title holders FC Barcelona at the shiny Reale Arena in San Sebastián.
It promises to be a tricky tie for the Catalan side who have to bounce back from a crushing Clásico defeat last week.
As for the hosts, today provides an opportunity for Imanol Algucil’s men to establish themselves as true contenders for a Champions League spot at the very tight top of the table.