Lewandowski’s Late Header Sends Barcelona Top After Comeback Win Over Sociedad

Robert Lewandowski’s second-half header sealed a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory for Barcelona over Real Sociedad, pushing the Catalan giants to the top of the La Liga table.

Barcelona fell behind in the 31st minute when Real Sociedad struck on the counter-attack. Alvaro Odriozola slid in to convert a low cross from Ander Barrenetxea, silencing the Camp Nou crowd with a well-worked goal.

But the defending champions found a lifeline just before the break. In the 43rd minute, Jules Kounde rose highest to meet a corner from Marcus Rashford, powering a header past Sociedad keeper Alex Remiro to level the score at 1-1.

Rashford, currently on loan from Manchester United, was a constant menace on the left flank. The Englishman tested Remiro with dipping shots on either side of halftime and created several promising openings. He was substituted in the 78th minute, likely with an eye on Barcelona’s looming Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain midweek.

With the game finely balanced, manager Hansi Flick made a decisive substitution. In the 58th minute, he introduced 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, the Ballon d’Or runner-up, and the teenager wasted no time making his mark. Mere seconds after entering the pitch, Yamal dazzled past a defender and delivered a sublime chipped cross into the box. An unmarked Lewandowski met it with a precise header, putting the hosts ahead for the first time in the match.

Sociedad had a golden chance to equalize late on when Kounde hesitated in possession and was dispossessed. Takefusa Kubo pounced but smashed his shot against the crossbar, spurning what could have been a dramatic leveller.

Barcelona nearly extended their lead moments later as Yamal was again involved in the build-up. He teed up Ferran Torres, who slipped the ball to Lewandowski, only for the striker’s effort to cannon off the underside of the bar and bounce on the line before being cleared.

Despite the tense finish, Barcelona held firm to record their sixth win in seven league matches. The victory sees them leapfrog Real Madrid, who suffered a shock 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Saturday, to claim top spot by a single point.

With the league momentum in their favour and a crucial European tie on the horizon, Barcelona’s season is gathering steam at just the right time.