Real Sociedad stun Barcelona 2-1 to end leaders' winning streak

SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain, Jan 18 : Real Sociedad earned a pulsating 2-1 home victory over LaLiga leaders Barcelona on Sunday, ending the Catalans' 11-match winning streak in all competitions.

The thrilling encounter in a rain-soaked San Sebastian saw Sociedad withstand relentless pressure as Barcelona struck the woodwork five times in the second half.

Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring with a volley in the 32nd minute, but Barca equalised with a Marcus Rashford header from close range in the 70th.

However, a minute later, Goncalo Guedes sealed the victory for the home side with another volley from inside the box. 

Sociedad were reduced to 10 men in the final minutes after Carlos Soler was given a straight red card for a reckless sliding tackle on Pedri.

Despite the defeat, Hansi Flick's Barcelona remain top of the standings on 49 points, one point ahead of second-placed Real Madrid. Villarreal and Atletico Madrid trail far behind with both on 41 points.

"I think we deserved to win, we had lots of chances," Barca captain Frenkie de Jong told DAZN. "At the end of the day, you have to score with the opportunities you create. We played very well, but their keeper, (Alex) Remiro had a great game."

The match was lively from the outset, with both sides trading blows in an open and frenetic first half.

Barcelona believed they had taken the lead in the seventh minute when Fermin Lopez fired a low strike into the bottom corner, but VAR overturned the goal after ruling that Takefusa Kubo had been fouled by Dani Olmo during the build-up.

Both teams saw early goals ruled out for offside, with neither side dominating in the opening exchanges.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 32nd minute when Oyarzabal volleyed home from close range following