Barcelona vs Real Sociedad result: Late Lionel Messi penalty secures victory for Quique Setien’s side

Relive all the action from the Nou Camp

(Getty)

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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Key Points

• Barcelona XI ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, de Jong, Messi, Griezmann, Braithwaite
• Sociedad XI: Remiro, Monreal, Le Normad, Llorente, Gorosabel, Guevara, Barrenetxea, Merino, Odegaard, Portu, Isak

[7 March 2020 19:22 · Michael Jones]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Sociedad

90+3 mins: Langlet heads the ball away as the corner comes in. Alba collects a long ball and crosses it in to Messi who's waiting in the box. His first touch is poor and he gets blocked off from the ball. Can Sociedad create one more chance? 

[7 March 2020 19:24 · Michael Jones]

Barcelona 2 - 0 Real Sociedad - Jordi Alba

90+5 mins: GOAL! Messi sends the ball into the box for Ansufati. He takes hold of the ball, cuts inside and passes to Alba who taps in to double the lead. VAR will check it. 

[7 March 2020 19:25 · Michael Jones]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Sociedad

90+7 mins: NO GOAL! Ansufati was offside so the goal doesn't stand. That is insignificant becasue the full time whistle is blown and Barcelona win regardless.

[7 March 2020 19:27 · Michael Jones]

Barcelona move back to the top of La Liga. They didn't play well today and get very lucky with a dubious penalty decision. 

Real Sociedad threw all they had at Barcelona but didn't score and didn't capitalise on their momentum throughout the game. 

[7 March 2020 19:30 · Michael Jones]

Real Madrid travel to Real Betis tomorrow. Kick off is at 8pm UK time and now they have to go there and win. 

Barcelona's victory puts the pressure back on Real Madrid as the title fight for La Liga continues.