La Liga: Real Sociedad hunt down Barcelona; big wins for Real, Atletico

Real Sociedad cut down Barca's lead at top of Spanish league standings as Real Madrid thrash Osasuna 4-0

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Real Sociedad has delivered a big blow to FC Barcelona, inflicting the second defeat of the season on the former European champions with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at their home ground.

The result leaves Barca six points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, but Madrid has a game in hand.

Sheraldo Becker's first-time finish into the corner of the net was enough to give Real Sociedad all three points, which was a reward for the San Sebastian-based side's best performance of the season, while Barcelona were below their best.

Hansi Flick's team were rocked with the loss of Lamine Yamal before kickoff, with the club announcing he had suffered an ankle injury, while Frenkie de Jong also had to leave the match injured.

Barcelona struggled to repeat the high-press that has served them so well this season, leaving their high defensive line vulnerable to the home side, who attacked effectively with Becker, Take Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal.