Barcelona vs Real Sociedad result: Late Lionel Messi penalty secures victory for Quique Setien’s side
Relive all the action from the Nou Camp
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Lionel Messi's late penalty edged Barcelona to a 1-0 victory at home to Real Sociedad to ease the pressure on manager Quique Setien.
Thee 61-year-old, who replaced Ernesto Valverde in January, had come under fire after last weekend's El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid, with reports in the Catalan media suggesting he had lost the support of the dressing room.
Sociedad posed a difficult test for Barca, buoyed by reaching the Copa Del Rey final in midweek, and Setien's side had to wait until the 81st minute for a winner at the Nou Camp.
Messi stepped up to slot home from the spot after Robin Le Normand was adjudged by the video assistant referee to have handled in the area.
Victory sent Barcelona back to the LaLiga summit, two points clear of Real ahead of their trip to Real Betis on Sunday. Relive all the action below:
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Barcelona 0 - 0 Real Sociedad
63 mins: Remiro denies Rakitic! Messi tries to run the ball into the middle of the box but he runs into two defenders. The ball bounces off Griezmann and sits up for Rakitic to drill one at goal. Remiro sees it early and palms the ball behind for a corner.
Barcelona 0 - 0 Real Sociedad
66 mins: Barcelona are getting closer. Messi plays a one-two with Rakitic and goes on a run past three defenders. He plays the ball into the box for Jordi Alba. Alba takes a moment to decide what to do and then plays the ball across the six-yard box for Rakitic. He throws himself at the ball but misses it.
Barcelona 0 - 0 Real Sociedad
72 mins: Monreal wins a corner as his shot is deflected behind. The corner ball comes into the box but it is headed away.
Barcelona 0 - 0 Real Sociedad
75 mins: Vidal comes on to replace Rakitic.
Isak is played into the box, he sets himself and puts his foot through the ball, spanking it well over the crossbar. That was a big chance missed.
Barcelona 0 - 0 Real Sociedad
78 mins: Messi sends a free kick into the box and it is headed out to Vidal. He puts the ball back into the box and it comes to Messi. Messi shoots but has the shot blocked. We're getting to the closing stages of the game. Barcelona need to win to keep the pressure on Real Madrid but Real Sociedad look the more likely to score.
Barcelona 0 - 0 Real Sociedad
79 mins: VAR is checking a possible penalty to Barcelona. When Vidal's ball came into the box it hit Le Normand's arm and bounced to Messi.
The referee goes over to the screen and decides: PENALTY to Barcelona!
Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Sociedad - Messi
81 mins: GOAL! Messi converts the penalty with a dinky shot to the left of the goalkeeper. Barcelona are off the hook.
Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Sociedad
84 mins: Real Sociedad can feel aggrieved by that I think. Le Normand had no intention to handle the ball, he tries to head it and misjudges the flight of the ball. It hits his arm and bounces away. Sociedad were dominating the game up to that point.
Monreal collides with Griezmann and goes down in the area. The referee waves away the penalty shoot. Real Sociedad's coaching staff are seething on the sidelines.
Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Sociedad
87 mins: Braithwaite is replaced with Junior Firpo. The minutes are ticking down. Can Sociedad get an equaliser, it's the least they deserve?
Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Sociedad
90 mins: Real Sociedad win a corner at the death, there'll be five minutes added time.
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