Lamine Yamal’s strike and Raphinha’s late penalty helped Barcelona beat Actual Sociedad 2-0 on Monday night to climb above Girona into second place in La Liga.
Barca had been annoyed for giant intervals by La Actual however finally went forward within the fortieth minute when Yamal tucked in and the job was accomplished late on when Raphinha slammed in from 12 yards after the guests had been penalised for handball.
The three factors take Xavi Hernandez’s aspect again above Girona into second place, whereas Sociedad are down in seventh.
How the sport unfolded
Barca instantly threatened within the opening two minutes as Pedri slid in Raphinha who appeared for Robert Lewandowski, however Jon Aramburu was properly positioned to clear the hazard.
Sociedad confirmed their very own attacking enamel moments later as Mikel Oyarzabal arrange Sheraldo Becker, who beat Pau Cubarsi however confirmed no composure in blasting his shot into the stands.
Xavi’s aspect had been stifled successfully by the guests and clear-cut probabilities had been few and much between earlier than Marc-Andre ter Stegen was referred to as into motion. Becker held off Cubarsi properly and fired in the direction of purpose, however the German goalkeeper reacted properly to claw the shot away from hazard.
Barca lastly produced some liquid soccer simply earlier than the half-hour mark as Yamal mixed properly with Ilkay Gundogan out extensive. Nevertheless, Jon Pacheco slid in simply within the nick of time to cease the transfer progressing any additional.
Gundogan was concerned as Barca went shut once more shortly after, shedding Raphinha who struck the publish earlier than the German midfielder lifted over on the rebound, however the hosts had been rewarded for his or her enchancment when their teenage prodigy opened the scoring.
Lewandowski discovered Gundogan, who charged ahead earlier than crossing for Yamal. The younger winger discovered the underside nook for his fifth La Liga purpose of the season.
Half-time got here and went and the sport was largely chance-less till the sixty fifth minute when Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro made a powerful save. Pedri pulled the strings to select Raphinha who shot from distance, however Remiro shuffled throughout to divert it behind.
Brais Mendez may need dragged Sociedad stage when the in any other case spectacular Gundogan handed the attacker the ball near purpose. Mendez beat a number of gamers however could not hit the goal, as a substitute dragging his effort extensive of Ter Stegen’s purpose.
Ferran Torres almost doubled Barca’s lead mere moments later after his introduction from the bench however noticed Remiro push his strike away from hazard, queuing outrage from Fermin Lopez who had demanded the lay-off.
Sociedad could not muster any additional response and as a substitute noticed the shedding margin improve in second-half stoppage time as Xavi’s aspect got a penalty. Alvaro Odriozola blocked Raphinha’s free-kick together with his arm and the Brazilian stepped up with Lewandowski off the sector, blasting his effort into the underside nook to wrap up the evening’s work.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 7/10 – Bagged a deserved clear sheet, making three necessary saves, and distributed properly from the again.
RB: Jules Kounde – 7/10 – Saved the normally harmful Oyarzabal quiet with one other regular and warranted efficiency at right-back.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – 7/10 – Endured a few moments the place he was crushed for power however typically made up for it together with his recreation intelligence and positioning.
CB: Inigo Martinez – 7/10 – Proved an honest foil for the younger Cubarsi, providing his expertise on the again to good impact.
LB: Joao Cancelo – 7/10 – A stout efficiency from the Portugal worldwide, who made three tackles. Could not fairly summon up something outrageous within the remaining third.
CM: Pedri – 7/10 – Performed some attractive defence-splitting passes and Sociedad’s midfield had issue getting near him when he hit full stride.
CM: Andreas Christensen – 6/10 – Made midfield stodgy and was a priceless aerial presence.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 7/10 – Scooped his eighth La Liga help of the marketing campaign and was on the coronary heart of a few of Barca’s extra enterprising assaults.
RW: Lamine Yamal – 8/10 – Confirmed nice composure for his purpose and was by no means shy of taking up his opposition defender, giving Aramburu loads of grief all through.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 6/10 – Continually gained lengthy balls within the air however had only one shot on track which mustered up solely 0.02 of xG.
LW: Raphinha – 8/10 – Unfortunate to hit the woodwork however obtained the purpose his efficiency deserved late on with a well-struck penalty.
Substitutes
Sergi Roberto (70′ for Christensen) – 6/10
Fermin Lopez (70′ for Pedri) – 6/10
Ferran Torres (77′ for Lewandowski) – 5/10
Oriol Romeu (94′ for Gundogan) – N/A
Subs not used: Diego Kochen, Hector Fort, Inaki Pena, Joao Felix, Marcos Alonso, Ronald Araujo, Vitor Roque.
Supervisor
Xavi Hernandez – 7/10 – Noticed his aspect finally break down a tough Sociedad outfit and leap again into second place in La Liga with all three factors. Job completed.
Participant of the match: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
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