Real Sociedad End Barcelona Women's 45-Match Unbeaten Run With 2-1 Win in Liga F

Real Sociedad beat Barcelona Women 2-1 in Liga F at Zubieta on Sunday, October 18, ending the champions' 45-match unbeaten run across all competitions. It was Barcelona's first defeat in 350 days, and the first time they dropped points in the league this season.

The start could hardly have been better for the visitors. Patri Guijarro put Barcelona ahead in the opening minute with a well-taken finish from the edge of the box. Sociedad hit back in the 14th minute. Cecilia Marcos scored a fine individual goal to make it 1-1.

Just when it looked as though the sides would go in level at the break, Sociedad scored again. In first-half stoppage time, Ainhoa Marín ran in behind the Barcelona defence and beat goalkeeper Cata Coll to make it 2-1. Barcelona could not find an equaliser in the second half.

Barcelona's last defeat was also against Sociedad, a 1-0 loss last November. Since then they had not lost in the league, the cup or the Champions League. They finished last season with just one defeat and four trophies: the Champions League, Liga F, the Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Super Cup. Coach Pere Romeu pointed to his side's finishing, saying the players had not been accurate enough in front of goal, and praised Sociedad's goalkeeper. He said Sociedad closed the central spaces and used the open areas to hit on the counter-attack. The game had been seen as a tough test after the loss in the same fixture last season and with the match coming straight after an international break.

Sociedad coach Gorka Álvarez said the win was an important boost for his team's development.

Barcelona remain top of Liga F with 18 points, two ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, who beat Espanyol 3-1 on Saturday. Real Sociedad climbed to 11th place with eight points after only their second win of the season.