Bookmakers : Real Sociedad 3

Barcelona lost ground on arch rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish title race after a deserved loss at Real Sociedad.

Needing victory to move level with Real, who won earlier in the day, Barca trailed when Alex Song headed into his own goal shortly after the half hour.

The visitors levelled within four minutes as Lionel Messi fired a precise 18-yard shot into the bottom corner.

Antoine Griezmann slid Sociedad ahead again after the break before turning provider for David Zurutuza to prod in.

It was a disappointing display by defending champions Barca, who started the weekend on top of La Liga with a superior goal difference over Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

But Real moved three points clear after a 3-0 home win against Elche earlier on Saturday which left the Catalans playing catch up.

Barcelona rested a host of key players following Tuesday's Champions League win at Manchester City, but the move did not pay off as Gerardo Martino's men produced a sloppy display which lacked fluency and any genuine attacking threat.

After a first-half display where his team dominated possession without creating the better opportunities, Martino's frustration boiled over at the interval and he was ordered to watch the second half from the stands by referee David Fernandez.

Barcelona's bogey team

Barcelona's defeat means they have not beaten Real Sociedad in San Sebastian in their last five attempts. The Catalans' last win there came in 2006-07, when goals from Andres Iniesta and Samuel Eto'o earned them a 2-0 win.

His side had gone behind when Cameroon midfielder Song, under pressure from Sociedad midfielder Gorka Elustondo, sent Sergio Canales's pinpoint right-wing cross flying past Barca keeper Victor Valdes.

The visitors were quickly level when Argentine superstar Messi deftly controlled a square pass before smashing his 25th goal of the season past home keeper Claudio Bravo.

But they were fortunate not to already be further behind after former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela missed a host of chances for the Basque side.

If Martino was already unhappy, then his mood further darkened as Sociedad took control in the space of five minutes before the hour mark.

After a high tempo start to the second half, the hosts deservedly regained the lead when Vela pounced on a stray header before squaring to Griezmann for his 15th goal of the season.

The France Under-21 winger then picked out Zurutuza, who was allowed a free run into the Barca area from deep before bravely poking past the onrushing Valdes.

Barca rarely threatened to produce a dramatic fightback as Sociedad, who have not been beaten in the Catalans' last five visits to San Sebastian, moved up to fifth.

Atletico could also move three points clear of Barca, with 13 games remaining, if they manage to beat Osasuna on Sunday.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (5) & SUBSTITUTIONS (5)

Real Sociedad

01 Bravo
31 Zaldúa
20 José Ángel Booked
04 Elustondo (Rubén Pardo - 92' )
03 González
06 Iñigo Martínez
17 Zurutuza
05 Bergara
11 Vela
16 Canales Booked (Ansotegi - 84' )
07 Griezmann (Xabi Prieto - 74' )

Substitutes

02 Martínez
08 Seferovic
10 Xabi Prieto
13 Zubikarai
14 Rubén Pardo
15 Ansotegi
23 Javi Ros

Barcelona

01 Valdés
02 Montoya (Sánchez - 73' )
21 Adriano
17 Song (Fábregas - 61' )
15 Bartra Booked
03 Piqué Booked
16 Busquets Booked
08 Iniesta
10 Messi
07 Pedro
11 Neymar

Substitutes

04 Fábregas
06 Xavi
09 Sánchez
13 Pinto Colorado
14 Mascherano
20 Tello
22 Dani Alves

Ref: David Fernández Borbalán

Att: 30,485

MATCH STATS

Shots

1512

On target

Corners

213

Fouls

1315

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full TimeMatch ends, Real Sociedad 3, Barcelona 1.

90:00+3:06Full time

Full TimeSecond Half ends, Real Sociedad 3, Barcelona 1.

90:00+2:07

Attempt missed. Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Lionel Messi.

90:00+1:38Substitution

SubstitutionSubstitution, Real Sociedad. Rubén Pardo replaces Gorka Elustondo.

90:00+0:14

Attempt missed. Neymar (Barcelona) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Pedro.