FOOTBALL: Ansu Fati Was Key As Barcelona Won 1-4 At Real Sociedad

Ansu Fati Was Key As Barcelona Won 1-4 At Real Sociedad. Ansu Fati’s second half introduction was the difference as he scored and assisted twice in Barcelona’s 1-4 victory over Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena in La Liga.

The Basques put up a very good fight, but ended up being outclassed. Barcelona earned their first victory of the season with a 1-4 win over Real Sociedad, but the match was much closer than the scoreline suggests. Lewandowski gave Barca a first minute lead, but Isak cancelled out the goal shortly afterwards.

The match was very even for the first 65 minutes, but the introductions of Ansu Fati and Raphinha were the difference. Ousmane Dembele and Lewandowski both scored in the space of two minutes and then Fati completed the scoring himself. His goal and two assists in 25 minutes was the game changer in a match which looked to be heading for a draw.

Ansu Fati Was Key As Barcelona Won 1-4 At Real Sociedad. Real Sociedad went to attack right from the off and Barcelona punished them on the counter inside the first minute. Kubo felt he was fouled inside the Barca area, Pedri played the ball to 18 year-old Alex Balde who sprinted towards the Sociedad goal and he laid off for the Pole who hit past home goalkeeper Alex Remiro. It was the perfect start for Xavi’s side after failing to score in their opener against Rayo Vallecano, but the lead was short lived.

In the sixth minute, Frenkie de Jong lost the ball inside his own half and David Silva’s pass was deflected into the path of Isak. The Swede went for goal from close range and his strike deflected off the sliding Eric Garcia to loop over Ter Stegen into the goal. The match was very open and very even, but there were opportunities for both teams.

Ferran Torres had a sight of goal after 24 minutes from inside the D, but he could only find the stanchion post while Mikel Merino was denied by the Barcelona goalkeeper and then Kubo hit the rebound wide. However, the best chance fell to the hosts just before the interval. Barca lost the ball on the far side to Aritz Elustondo and he laid off to David Silva whose strike to the GK’s left was brilliantly tipped wide for a corner. A 1-1 scoreline at the interval was very fair.

The second half started in similar fashion and Sociedad thought they had made it 2-1 when Brais Mendez’s free-kick went straight in, but Le Normand’s presence meant the goal was disallowed for offside. Mikel Merino also forced a fine save out of Ter Stegen, but Xavi’s substitutions 25 minutes from time made the difference.

The Barca coach brought on Ansu Fati and Raphinha for Ferran Torres and Alex Balde and they made the difference. Fati needed just two minutes to get involved as he backheeled for Dembele who beat Remiro with a fine strike to make it 1-2. Then, while Sociedad were still stunned, Pedri played to Fati in the box and he laid off for Lewandowski and he beat the goalie from close range to get Barcelona’s third.

That double strike put the game beyond Real Sociedad and not even a triple substitution was able to turn the game around. In fact, Ansu Fati put the icing on the cake with a goal after being teed up by a terrific backheel pass from Lewandowski. After competing for 65 minutes in an even contest, Barcelona’s bench strength proved to be the difference.

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