Hansi Flick’s Barcelona set an unfortunate shooting record in their defeat against Real Sociedad in LaLiga on Sunday night.
The loss landed a big blow to the Blaugrana’s title aspirations. It allowed Real Madrid to move within a point of the division leaders and title holders, giving Los Blancos control of their own fate.
It was Joao Cancelo’s first game since returning to Catalonia. He came off the bench in the 62nd minute and failed to make an impact during his cameo.
Cancelo turned down Inter Milan to secure the move to Barcelona.
Barcelona Suffer First Defeat of 2026 Against Real Sociedad
Barcelona equalled their second-longest winning streak with their Copa del Rey Round of 16 victory over Racing Santander on Thursday night. Owing to their red-hot form, the LaLiga leaders were big favourites coming into the game against Real Sociedad, who sat in the bottom half of the table.
However, it was the hosts who struck first, with Mikel Oyarzabal applying a clinical volley to finish off Goncalo Guedes’ delivery. The goal came against the run of play, as the visitors had looked more threatening until that point.
In the first half stoppage time, the referee pointed to the spot after Igor Zubeldia brought down Lamine Yamal inside the area.
The decision was later overturned as Yamal was found offside in the buildup.
Real Sociedad end Barcelona’s unbeaten streak! ⚪️
Who’s been your Man of the Match? pic.twitter.com/3f15Ou0HIi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 18, 2026
Barcelona finally equalised through substitute Marcus Rashford in the 70th minute. Yamal provided the assist, delivering an inch-perfect cross to find Rashford between the Sociedad centre-backs.
Barcelona’s joy, however, was short-lived as Guedes equalised the following minute. Carlos Soler drew a superb save from Joan Garcia, but Barca could not clear their lines. Soler intercepted the ball and lobbed it to Guedes, who hit it on the volley to make it 2-1.
Barca came close to the equaliser, but Sociedad, despite being down to 10 men for the final few minutes after Soler’s dismissal, held firm to claim maximum points.
Barcelona Hit the Woodwork Five Times in Sociedad Defeat
Barcelona have every right to feel hard done by Sunday’s result at Anoeta. They were the more dominant team by far, enjoying 72% possession, creating seven big chances, taking 25 shots, and generating an xG of 3.68.
However, it simply was not their day, as they lost after finding the woodwork five times. According to Opta, Barcelona have become only the second team across the top five European leagues in 20 years to hit the bar/post five times and still lose the game. Brighton & Hove Albion were the first, having been denied by the woodwork five times against Manchester United in September 2020.
Dani Olmo was the most unfortunate Barcelona player of the lot, as he found the post two times against Real Sociedad. Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde also saw their efforts denied.
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