VAR Drama and Missed Chances as Barcelona’s Winning Run Ended by Real Sociedad

Key Takeaways:

• Real Sociedad defeated Barcelona 2:1 at Reale Arena, ending Barça’s nine-match La Liga winning streak
• Three Barcelona goals were disallowed, a penalty was overturned by VAR, and the visitors struck the post four times
• Real Sociedad climbed to 8th place with 24 points, while Barcelona maintained first place with 49 points, narrowly ahead of Real Madrid on 48 points

Match Overview

Barcelona’s imperious form in La Liga came to an abrupt halt as Real Sociedad edged a dramatic contest 2:1 at the Reale Arena in the 20th round. Mikel Oyarzabal fired the hosts ahead in the 32nd minute, only for Marcus Rashford to draw Barcelona level in the 70th. However, the Basques reclaimed the lead almost immediately through Gonçalo Guedes to secure a memorable victory and shatter Barça’s nine-match winning streak in the league.

For the visitors, misfortune was heaped upon regret. Three goals were chalked off, a penalty award was rescinded after a VAR review, and the Catalan side struck the post on four occasions. Real Sociedad’s Álex Remiro also produced a string of crucial saves to preserve his side’s advantage.

🔚 VICTORY IS OURS!!!! 𝗔𝗨𝗣𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗟!!! 💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/LZPuOHAOKG

— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) January 18, 2026

Team Line-ups and Tactical Approach

Pellegrino Matarazzo opted for Mikel Oyarzabal and Gonçalo Guedes as his attacking partnership, with Carlos Soler and Benat Turrientes anchoring the midfield. Takefusa Kubo and Brais Méndez were deployed in the wide positions.

Hansi Flick tasked Ferran Torres, Fermín López, and Lamine Yamal with leading Barcelona’s attack. The midfield consisted of Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong, and Pedri.

First Half: Disallowed Goals and Narrow Escapes

The encounter started at a frenetic pace, with the opening minute seeing Oyarzabal head home for the hosts, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. Barça responded immediately, as Lamine Yamal surged down the right and set up Pedri, whose effort was saved by Remiro. Dani Olmo soon tested Remiro again but to no avail.

VAR intervention came in the 7th minute to disallow a Fermín López goal for a foul by Dani Olmo on Kubo in the build-up. Dani Olmo remained lively, firing over the bar six minutes later.

A further disallowed goal followed in the 20th minute. Frenkie de Jong slipped in behind Real Sociedad’s defence but was adjudged offside before converting. Lamine Yamal was the next to go close, beating his marker before missing narrowly, as Barcelona continued to ramp up the pressure.

The Blaugrana’s frustrations were compounded further in the 27th minute, as a Yamal tap-in was ruled out for offside after receiving a Koundé pass.

Against the run of play, Real Sociedad took the lead in the 32nd minute. Guedes’s cross found Oyarzabal, who finished superbly past Joan Garcia to make it 1:0. The hosts pressed on, with Turrientes forcing a strong save from Garcia. Dani Olmo then pulled off a powerful long-range effort, only for Remiro to deny him. In first-half stoppage time, Yamal’s strike was thwarted by Remiro, and soon after, a penalty awarded for a Zubeldia foul on Yamal was overturned by VAR due to offside in the build-up.

Second Half: Relentless Drama and Real Sociedad’s Decisive Moments

The second half began with the same relentless tempo. Oyarzabal had an early effort ruled out for offside once again. Barcelona’s misfortune in front of goal continued as Dani Olmo hit the left post, and then struck the woodwork again moments later following a Remiro save.

Remiro continued to frustrate the visitors, making crucial saves from Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski, keeping the home side in front. In the 70th minute, Barcelona finally broke through: Lamine Yamal delivered a cross for Rashford to head home, levelling at 1:1.

The equaliser lasted barely a minute. In the 71st minute, Carlos Soler’s header forced a save from Joan Garcia; Soler reacted quickest to the loose ball, teeing up Guedes for a simple finish into the unguarded net, restoring Real Sociedad’s advantage.

The Basques nearly extended their lead shortly after, with Oyarzabal and Zubeldia both going close. Barcelona’s hunt for another equaliser saw Koundé’s header strike the crossbar in the 83rd minute, before Rashford’s corner met the woodwork for a fourth time in the 93rd minute.

There was late drama as Carlos Soler received a direct red card for a foul on Pedri, following a VAR review in the 88th minute. Remiro capped his performance with yet another save from Roony Bardghji in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Result, Standings, and Data Summary

Despite the late barrage, Real Sociedad held firm and closed out a significant 2:1 win, climbing to 8th in the table with 24 points. Barcelona maintain the league lead but sit only one point ahead of Real Madrid, who have 48 points.

Statistical Highlights

• Three Barcelona goals were disallowed
• Four Barcelona efforts struck the woodwork
• VAR cancelled a Barcelona penalty in first-half stoppage time due to offside in the build-up
• Álex Remiro delivered numerous key saves, particularly denying Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and Roony Bardghji