Real Sociedad turn it around vs Barcelona in Zubieta: 2-1

Real Sociedad beat Barcelona 2-1 at Zubieta, coming back after an early strike from Ainoa Guijarro in the first minute (1’). Even after conceding so quickly, the hosts responded through Cecilia (13’) and Ainhoa Marín to finish 2-1 with a goal in added time of the first half (45+1’).

The start was tough for the Real, but Gorka Álvarez’s 5-4-1 plan, with Nerea Eizagirre playing as a mobile false “9” alongside Ainoa, Cecilia and Marín, helped the back line hold firm. The goalkeeping change also mattered: Estensoro came in.

Comeback before the break

Cecilia equalised in the 13th minute, scoring with a left-footed finish in a breakaway after a quick combination initiated by Ainhoa Marín and set up by Eizagirre. Before half-time, Ainhoa Marín delivered the decisive blow, breaking the line, outpacing van Asten and beating Cata Coll.

In the second half, Barcelona pressed, but the Real defended well and created blocks. Estensoro made a crucial reaction stop from a loose ball in the box, while the hosts also had chances. The finish was tense after a penalty appeal around the 81st minute that the referee overturned after a VAR check. Mundo Deportivo adds that the win was Real’s first home league victory of the season, and it came as a second consecutive result, lifting them out of the relegation zone.