**Real Sociedad Beats Barcelona, Controversial Offside**

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Post on Nov 11, 2024

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Real Sociedad Stuns Barcelona with Controversial Offside Win

Real Sociedad pulled off a dramatic 2-1 victory over Barcelona at the Reale Arena on Saturday, thanks to a controversial offside goal and a late penalty. The win sees Real Sociedad leapfrog their Catalan rivals into third place in La Liga, while Barcelona's title hopes take a significant blow.

A Controversial Goal Sparks Debate

The match was a tense affair, with both teams creating chances. The first half saw few clear-cut opportunities, but the game exploded in the second half. Real Sociedad's opening goal, scored by Alexander Sørloth in the 60th minute, was immediately met with controversy. The Norwegian striker appeared to be offside, but VAR failed to intervene, much to the frustration of Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez.

The VAR's inaction led to a heated debate among fans and commentators. While some argued that Sørloth was indeed in an offside position, others claimed that he was level with the last Barcelona defender when the ball was played. The incident highlighted the complexities of VAR technology and its effectiveness in detecting offside decisions.

Real Sociedad Capitalize on Barcelona's Mistakes

Despite the controversy, Real Sociedad's performance was commendable. They displayed a strong defensive structure, effectively frustrating Barcelona's attacking threats. They were also clinical in their finishing, taking advantage of Barcelona's defensive lapses.

Barcelona's struggles continued as they conceded a second penalty in the 83rd minute. This time, Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick to double Real Sociedad's lead.

While Barcelona managed to pull a goal back through Robert Lewandowski in the 88th minute, it was too little, too late. The defeat leaves them trailing leaders Real Madrid by five points and increases the pressure on Xavi Hernandez to find a solution to their inconsistency.

Looking Ahead: What's Next for Real Sociedad and Barcelona?

This victory will be a major boost for Real Sociedad's confidence as they look to challenge for a Champions League spot. They will be looking to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures.

For Barcelona, this defeat is a setback, but they must quickly refocus and bounce back. Their next few matches will be crucial as they aim to close the gap on Real Madrid.

The controversial offside decision will undoubtedly continue to be a topic of discussion, but Real Sociedad's victory is a testament to their determination and resilience. This match will be remembered for the controversy, but also for the quality of football on display and the implications it has for the La Liga title race.