In a surprising turn of events in La Liga, Real Sociedad clinched a memorable 2-1 victory against league leaders Barcelona at the Reale Arena on January 18, 2026. This significant win brought an end to Barcelona's impressive 11-match winning streak in the league, injecting new life into the title race. The match saw Real Sociedad take the lead in the first half through a goal from captain Mikel Oyarzabal. Despite Barcelona having several chances, including multiple goals and a penalty ruled out, they struggled to find an equalizer before the break. In the second half, Barcelona managed to draw level when Marcus Rashford, coming off the bench, found the back of the net. However, Real Sociedad quickly responded, with Gonçalo Guedes restoring their lead almost immediately. The home side held on to their advantage, even after Real Sociedad's Carlos Soler received a late red card, which ultimately did not affect the final score. This defeat, described as a 'shock' for Barcelona, highlights the competitive nature of La Liga. Despite the loss, Barcelona currently maintains its position at the top of the La Liga table with 49 points from 19 matches, while Real Sociedad sits in 13th place. The result will undoubtedly intensify the race for the Spanish league title.