Barcelona lose again to Sociedad, record for Ronaldo

Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to hit 30 La Liga goals in six consecutive seasons as he inspired Real Madrid to a 4-0 thrashing of Eibar while Fernando Torres was on target once more as Atletico Madrid triumphed 3-1 at Espanyol. 

Winger Mikel Oiarzabal headed the only goal for Sociedad in the fifth minute.

“The game began in the worst way possible,” said Barca coach Luis Enrique. “We played really badly in the first half. We didn’t deserve to lose but we are still the leaders. Now we have to pick ourselves up after leaving this great stadium where we never do well.”

Barca, without top scorer Luis Suarez through suspension, fielded a muchchanged side and managed just five shots on target all game.

Luis Enrique’s team have 76 points with six games to go, one ahead of Atletico and four in front of Real Madrid.

After going unbeaten in all competition for six months, Barca have followed last week’s 2-1 defeat by Real Madrid with another slip-up. 

The European champions are without a victory in three league outings, their longest stretch since Luis Enrique took charge in 2014. 

The coach made four changes to the team that lost to Real Madrid, bringing back midfielder Rafinha after a six-month injury absence and starting without Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba and Ivan Rakitic. 

Barca were handed their fifth defeat in six visits to Sociedad after 18-year-old Oiarzabal nodded in a cross from Xabi Prieto.

The visitors struggled to get back in the game and home goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli did well to save from Lionel Messi twice, substitute Iniesta and Arda Turan.