Barcelona Dominates in 4-0 Rout Against 10-Man Real Sociedad
MADRID (AP) — In a commanding performance, Barcelona secured a decisive 4-0 victory over 10-man Real Sociedad on Sunday, reclaiming the lead in the Spanish league. The goals came from Gerard Martín, Marc Casadó, Ronald Araujo, and Robert Lewandowski, pushing Barcelona one point ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid and three points clear of third-placed Real Madrid, which suffered a 2-1 defeat against Real Betis on Saturday. Atletico, meanwhile, managed a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at home.
Early Red Card Sets the Tone
The match at Montjuic stadium saw a significant shift early on when Real Sociedad’s Aritz Elustondo was shown a straight red card in the 17th minute for desperately grabbing Barcelona’s Dani Olmo to prevent a breakaway. This pivotal moment left Sociedad with 10 men on the field, significantly hampering their ability to mount a coherent defense. Despite the early setback, Barcelona wasted no time in capitalizing on their numerical advantage.
Barcelona’s Clinical Finishers
Barcelona’s dominance was evident from the outset, with Martín opening the scoring in the 25th minute and Casadó doubling the lead just four minutes later. The second half saw Araujo add to the tally in the 56th minute, followed by Lewandowski’s goal in the 60th, which completed Barcelona’s comprehensive victory. Lewandowski’s goal was particularly significant, as it marked his eighth goal in his last nine matches and brought his season total to 34 goals in all competitions. This surpassed the 33 goals he scored in his previous best season with the Catalan club in 2022-23, further cementing his status as one of the world’s most prolific strikers.
Sociedad’s Struggles Continue
Real Sociedad, which is also competing in the Copa del Rey semifinals alongside Barcelona, Madrid, and Atletico, struggled throughout the match. The early red card was a critical blow, leaving them to play with one fewer man and unable to generate any meaningful attacks. Sociedad’s inability to challenge Barcelona’s defense was evident, as they failed to register a single shot on goal. The match marked Sociedad’s second loss in three games, keeping them in ninth place in the league standings, a far cry from their aspirations at the start of the season.
Traoré’s Return and Local Rivalry
Sociedad did see a positive note with the return of defender Hamari Traoré, who entered the match in the second half. Traoré’s appearance marked his comeback after nearly six months of recovery from knee surgery, a welcome addition to the team’s defensive options. Earlier in the day, the Madrid derby saw 16th-placed Leganes secure a crucial 1-0 win over 14th-placed Getafe, thanks to a goal from striker Diego García in the second-half stoppage time. This win provided a significant boost to Leganes’ hopes of avoiding relegation.
Looking Ahead
With their impressive victory over Real Sociedad, Barcelona has extended their winning streak to six consecutive matches in the league. The Catalan giants now stand atop the Spanish league, with a strong chance to consolidate their position in the upcoming matches. For Valencia, a win against Osasuna later on Sunday could be the catalyst needed to escape the relegation zone. As the season progresses, the intense competition for the top spots and the battle against relegation will only intensify, making every match a critical moment in the teams’ respective quests.
