Barcelona were pegged back from two goals ahead as
Real Sociedad snatched a superb and deserved 2-2 draw
at the Estadio de Anoeta.
Two goals in as many minutes from Xavi and Cesc Fabregas
put Barca 2-0 up inside the opening quarter-hour and
they appeared to be cruising.
But Imanol Agirretxe's header changed all that and
Antoine Griezmann netted a bizarre equaliser - making
good on his pre-match promise to prove his commitment
to the club after the collapse of his longed-for summer
move to Atletico Madrid.
The opener came when Fabregas' lofted through-ball
sent Alexis Sanchez and Xavi through on goal, the former
squaring the ball for the Spain midfielder to tap in.
Barcelona attempted to produce a carbon-copy goal a
minute later as Fabregas ran on to Xavi's pass and squared
for Pedro and, though the forward's shot was blocked,
Fabregas followed up to score.
Sociedad were rightly denied a penalty after Asier
Illarramendi's shot was blocked by the shoulder of Andreu
Fontas as he turned away.
Sanchez was forced off by injury shortly after the
half-hour mark and replaced by David Villa.
Illarramendi headed Griezmann's free-kick over before
Barca threatened again, Pedro's lob cleared away from
goal by defender Alberto De la Bella.
Villa and Pedro mishit shots early in the second half
after cutting in off their respective wings.
And Sociedad halved the deficit when Xabi Prieto's
cross from the right was headed in by Agirretxe at the
far post - and astonishingly, it was 2-2 moments later
in farcical fashion.
Villa's dreadful pass from inside the Sociedad half
carved his own team asunder and sent Agirretxe through
on Victor Valdes, who inexplicably back-pedalled. The
forward's lob was pushed on to the bar by the hand of
Sergio Busquets, but Griezmann followed up to head into
the empty net.
Confusion followed as Sociedad seemed unsure whether
the goal had been awarded, while David Zurutuza was
booked after seeking a red card for Busquets. Both teams
eventually lined up for the restart - though not before
Barca sent on Lionel Messi.
Barca's usual composure had been rattled, with Messi
scuffing wide from 18 yards and Pedro blazing wildly
over after Dani Alves' cut-back.
Keeper Claudio Bravo denied Messi from a narrow angle
and dived to claw away Alves' dangerous cross, but Sociedad
were not finished at the other end.
Alves had to dive to head Carlos Vela's dangerous cross
just wide of his own goal, and Inigo Martinez's header
from the resulting corner was deflected wide.
Messi was booked for diving in the penalty area in
stoppage time as Barca had to settle for a draw.
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