Barca 1-0 Real Sociedad: Messi pen helps Catalans go La Liga top as VAR shines

Just as it looked like Barcelona were going to follow up the Clasico with more frustration, a Lionel Messi spot-kick saw off Real Sociedad.

Lionel Messi scored a late penalty as Barcelona shook off a post-Clasico hangover and edged to a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.

Having lost first place in their defeat to rivals Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu six days ago, Barca took the chance to return to the summit, albeit in an unconvincing Camp Nou victory on Saturday.

Messi came into the contest having failed to score in six of his last seven games but he converted the crucial spot-kick with nine minutes remaining after a VAR review adjudged Robin Le Normand had handled a left-wing cross.

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Match Events

4' CHANCE! Odegaard's shot wide out

Isak releases the run of Odegaard in the final third, but De Jong gets back to make the challenge, forcing a goal-kick.

16' Yellow Card! Lenglet booked

Lenglet wipes out Portu with a sliding challenge and goes into the book.

17' DISALLOWED GOAL! Braithwaite's shot offside

Braithwaite latches on to a ball over the top from Alba, but is well offside. He finishes low into the bottom corner, but he was quite clearly beyond the last Sociedad defender.

28' Messi with a great chance!

Messi tries to turn out of tight quarters and he gets the better of Monreal, but he cannot force a quality cross into the box.

40' What a miss! Messi's shot wide out

Alba sends a low cross into the box for Braithwaite and he nudges an offload towards De Jong. The Dutchman finds Messi with his first touch, but the Argentine can only place his left-footed strike wide of the left post.

42' Yellow Card! Messi booked

Messi goes into the book for a loose challenge on Merino.

54' So close from Messi!

De Jong and Alba combine to find Messi, who takes a touch to beat the challenge of Guevara before firing at goal on his right foot. He connects well with his strike, but his attempt swerves wide of the right post.

58' Messi comes close to scoring!

Messi takes his free-kick, but the visitors put men all over the box to deal with the threat. Merino heads it clear on the penalty spot, much to the bemusement of the Argentine.

67' WHAT A CHANCE missed by Rakitic!

Messi and Rakitic combine to open up the Sociedad defence. Alba collects on the left flank and tries to place a low ball across the face of goal. However, no player in red and blue is there to convert.

81' Penalty Goal! Barcelona 1-0 Real Sociedad (Messi)

The Argentine steps up from 12 yards and lifts his effort past Remiro with a slight chip to find the right corner of the net. A vital goal for the Catalan club.

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