La Liga: Barcelona defeat Sociedad to reclaim second spot 

Having lost the league to Real Madrid, Barcelona reclaimed the second spot in the La Liga after clinching a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad on Monday, to record their fifth consecutive home league win, a feat unseen since October 2023.

Sociedad began with promise at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, as Sheraldo Becker threatened early on with two near misses, including a shot that hit the net but was disallowed for offside.

Barcelona, gradually finding their rhythm, signalled their intent when Raphinha’s powerful left-footed strike rattled the net.

Energised by this, Xavi Hernandez’s boys breached one of the league’s most solid defences to score just before halftime. Robert Lewandowski’s precise pass found İlkay Gündoğan, who set up Lamine Yamal for a clinical finish in the 40th minute. The goal takes the 16-year-old’s tally to 7 goals across all competitions.

🔵🔴⭐️ 7 goals and 9 assists in all competitions this season for Lamine Yamal.

16 years old. ✨ pic.twitter.com/KRK3FhbCDP

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 13, 2024

Raphinha, undeterred by his first-half miss, unleashed two long-range attempts early in the second half, but the Brazilian couldn’t find the cutting edge until the dying minute.

After the 85th-minute mark, Remiro denied Ferran Torres with a brilliant save, but he couldn’t prevent Raphinha from converting a stoppage-time penalty, that sealed Barcelona’s victory.