Robert Lewandowski scored the winning goal with a header in the second half, allowing Barcelona to come from behind and secure a victory over Real Sociedad, placing them at the top of the La Liga standings.
With the match tied at 1-1, Barca’s coach Hansi Flick introduced Ballon d’Or runner-up Lamine Yamal in the 58th minute.
Just moments later, the 18-year-old maneuvered past a defender and delivered an exquisite cross that an unmarked Lewandowski converted with a header.
Real Sociedad had stunned the hosts by taking the lead in the 31st minute through a counterattack, where Alvaro Odriozola finished off Ander Barrenetxea’s low cross.
However, the home team equalized just two minutes before the end of the first half, as defender Jules Kounde powerfully headed in Marcus Rashford’s corner.
Rashford continued his impressive performance for the home side, consistently creating opportunities down the left wing and forcing Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro to make several good saves with his dipping shots both before and after the break.
The Manchester United loanee was substituted in the 78th minute, likely as Flick was considering the upcoming Champions League match against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday.
Sociedad had a late opportunity to restore parity after Kounde dawdled and had the ball pinched off him, but Takefusa Kubo was unable to finish off the move, instead clattering the crossbar.
About 30 seconds later, Barcelona went up the other end with Yamal setting up Ferran Torres, who found Lewandowski, but the Pole’s effort bounced off the underside of the bar, down onto the goal line but stayed out.
Ultimately though, the miss wasn’t costly, as the defending champions held on for their sixth win in seven league matches and moved a point clear of rivals Real Madrid, who lost 5-2 at Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
