IANS
SAN SEBASTIAN, APRIL 10
Barcelona were stunned by Real Sociedad as 18-year-old Mikel Oyarzabal headed the only goal in a 1-0 victory to blow the La Liga title race wide open.
Luis Enrique's side now lead Atletico Madrid by just three points after their win earlier in the day, with Real Madrid just a point further back.
Barcelona hadn't won on their previous six trips to the Anoeta Stadium, losing five of those and last securing victory there under Frank Rijkaard in 2007.
And they struggled to break down Sociedad for long periods on Saturday night, as the home side held on for a well-earned three points.
It took less than five minutes for Sociedad to take the lead, and it came from teenager Oyarzabal as he rose highest in the area to loop a superb header over Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and into the top corner.
Barcelona, who were without their leading scorer Luis Suarez through suspension, lacked a focal point in attack throughout most of the first half and created their only real opportunity after 33 minutes, when Messi and Neymar combined to tee up Arda Turan before his deflected strike was saved by Geronimo Rulli.
The home side were defending brilliantly and nearly doubled their lead on the counter attack as half-time approached, but Dani Alves did well to scramble back and block Alberto de la Bella's effort from inside the box.
Andres Iniesta was introduced at half-time, and he immediately increased the urgency in Barcelona's play, forcing another fine save out of Rulli after 55 minutes with a fierce drive from 25 yards.
It had been a quiet night for Messi, but he forced Rulli into another fine save with 15 minutes to go, the Real Sociedad goalkeeper getting down low to his left to keep out the Argentine's toe poke from close range.
Rulli was then called into action again late on to deny Messi and Iniesta, as Sociedad held on for victory.
Barcelona, who have now failed to win their last three games in La Liga, will turn their attention to defending their 2-1 lead in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final away at Atletico on Wednesday night.
Clinical Ronaldo sets goal record as Real thrash Eibar
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to hit 30 La Liga goals in six consecutive seasons as he inspired Real Madrid to a 4-0 thrashing of Eibar on Saturday.
The Portugal forward netted in the 19th minute and also provided passes for Lucas Vazquez and Jese to score as the hosts stormed into a 4-0 halftime lead.
James Rodriguez had opened Real's account with a curling free kick in the fifth minute.
Real are second in the league on 72 points, with title rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in action later on Saturday.
Coach Zinedine Zidane made eight changes to the team that suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at VfL Wolfsburg in the Champions League in midweek with only Ronaldo, Pepe and Casemiro keeping their places.
Brazilian right back Danilo was booed by the home fans for his disappointing display at Wolfsburg when he came on in the second half but it was an otherwise positive afternoon for Real who host Wolfsburg in their quarter-final second leg on Tuesday.
Rodriguez was criticised for being caught laughing on the sidelines in Germany in midweek but the Colombia international lifted the crowd by scoring early on, his first goal in just under two months.
A fine piece of skill from Ronaldo allowed Vazquez to pass the ball into an empty net in the 18th minute before the record-breaker finished off a cut-back from the lively Jese a minute later.
Ronaldo returned the favour for the 23-year-old in the 39th minute as Real made it 4-0.
Eibar's top scorer Borja Baston hit the crossbar in a rare attack for the visitors who are 10th in the table
