BARCELONA: Mikel Merino and Alexander Sorloth scored in each half to earn Real Sociedad a 2-1 win at Barcelona on Saturday, handing the La Liga champions their first home defeat of the season on a

day when they were celebrating their title triumph.

With the league title in the bag, there was an end-of-season feel at Camp Nou as the fans waited to see the post-game celebrations when Barca would lift the La Liga trophy. The Catalans, who clinched the title last weekend with a thumping 4-2 win at Catalan rivals Espanyol, were given a guard of honour before the game.

However, Real Sociedad made sure it would not go all Barca’s way as they got in-front quickly, with Merino scoring with a tidy finish in the fifth minute.

They extended their lead with Sorloth in the 72nd minute and Robert Lewandowski headed in a consolation for Barca from close-range in the 90th minute.

Barcelona’s celebrations in Cornella were disrupted by Espanyol fans’ pitch invasion, but they made up for it after defeat as they lifted their 27th league title.

“Thank you to the staff, the players who have given everything on the pitch,” Xavi said in a speech.

“And to the fans. Without you it would not have been possible. You have been spectacular.

“Those that have filled the stadiums, those that were at the bus parade. It’s given me goosebumps.”

Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets was given a standing ovation as he was substituted in the final stages, in his penultimate home game before he leaves in the summer.

After Busquets collected the trophy Xavi was thrown into the air by Barcelona’s players in celebration, before they danced around a banner in the centre circle proclaiming “La Liga is ours, the future too. No one doubt that this is just getting started,” said Busquets in a speech on the pitch.

Athletic Bilbao beat Celta Vigo 2-1 to leave the Galicians 14th, level on points with Almeria and still not completely safe after six defeats in their last seven matches

With three games left, fourth-placed Real Sociedad moved on to 65 points and tightened their grip on the last Champions League qualification spot, five points ahead of fifth-placed Villarreal who beat Girona 2-1 earlier on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Lazaro Vinicius hit a hat-trick for Almeria as they beat Real Mallorca 3-0 to climb away from danger.

Rubi’s side rose to 13th, four points clear of the relegation zone.

Getafe were held to a 1-1 draw by relegated Elche which leaves them 17th, level on points with Real Valladolid, 18th, who they face on the last weekend of the season.

Champions Barcelona have an unassailable 14-point lead over second-place Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid are third on 69 points.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2023