Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad: Score, Grades, Reaction from La Liga

Neymar's 50th goal for Barcelona and a superb Pedro overhead strike potentially clinched the La Liga title for the Camp Nou side in a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.

The Brazil international struck in the 51st minute after a great cross from Lionel Messi before the Argentine set up Barcelona substitute Pedro to ensure the Catalan giants would remain on top of the table after this weekend's fixtures.

And with the Spanish season under threat of an early end due to a row over television monies, as Bleacher Report's Liga expert Guillem Balague noted, Luis Enrique's team could be crowned champions with two rounds of fixtures still to be played.

But after the sublime display in the Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday, Barcelona struggled to break down David Moyes' Real Sociedad, for whom goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli was in inspired form.

And the former Everton and Manchester United manager almost added another notable scoreline against Barcelona after his 1-0 win earlier in the season but for Neymar and Pedro.

Marc Bartra replaced the suspended Jordi Alba for Barcelona while Xavi Hernandez was named as team captain for the game.

Moyes restored Sergio Canales to his starting XI with David Zurutuza out injured.

Barcelona were on the attack from the start, and Mikel Gonzalez needed to stretch out a leg to thwart Neymar in the opening minutes before Rulli made a tremendous save from a Messi header.

Rulli was again a saviour for Sociedad when he saved well in a one-on-one with Neymar in the 13th minute.

A superb diagonal ball from Messi almost found Neymar at the back post, but the pass bounced too high for the Brazilian to connect with.

Carlos Vela looked to have broken through in the 23rd minute but shot straight at Claudio Bravo before he was adjudged to be offside.

Rulli produced his third fine save of the game in the 28th minute as he stuck out his right hand to deny Gerard Pique.

Messi danced past two Sociedad defenders in the 34th minute before chipping to the back post, where Luis Suarez was chasing in, but the Uruguayan's header across the goalmouth eluded Xavi.

Moyes had already beaten Barcelona earlier in the season, and his tactics were working once more as the home side struggled to find a way through in the first period while guarding against the counter-attack.

Rulli chalked up another fine stop in the 47th minute when he got a hand to a Bartra header that was heading for the top corner from Xavi's corner.

Moments later, Inigo Martinez was the hero for La Real, as his superb challenge denied Suarez a shot on goal from Xavi's ball over the top.

Barcelona were relentless in the opening exchanges of the second period, and they finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute.

Messi lofted a ball from the right across the penalty area. Mikel's attempted clearance found Neymar behind him, and the Brazilian gratefully fired past Rulli:

"

Goooool de Neymar! #genius pic.twitter.com/EmsVafFvov

— FCB (@Emenderk) May 9, 2015"

Enrique made his first switch of the game in the 61st minute, as Sergio Busquets replaced Bartra.

The referee then cautioned Rulli for blocking a Neymar corner after coming way out of his goal.

The crowd gave Xavi a rapturous ovation in the 74th minute as he left the field, with Andres Iniesta replacing him and also taking over the captaincy of the team. 

Enrique then took off Rafinha eight minutes later, with Pedro coming on in his place.

Rulli was again on hand six minutes before the end when he comfortably held a Messi effort, but he could do nothing about Barcelona's second goal moments later.

Suarez chased forward before clipping the ball to Messi with the outside of his right boot. The Argentine needed to check back to bring the ball under control before laying a deflected pass back into the area. That's where Pedro lifted himself with his back to goal and finished with an overhead strike:

Barcelona will now look out for Real Madrid's result against Valencia later on Saturday, but all eyes will be on how the television row pans out this week.

Selected Player Ratings

Lionel Messi: A

It was a frustrating first 45 minutes for the Barcelona star after his heroics in the Champions League in midweek, as he and his team-mates struggled to break down the Sociedad back line. But patience was a virtue, as his creating helped Neymar and Pedro score.

Geronimo Rulli: A

The Real Sociedad goalkeeper kept his side in the game in the early stages with a number of great stops. He's likely to be on a number of shopping lists in the summer on this form.

Dani Alves: A+

The Barcelona right-back had appeared to be on his way out of the Camp Nou this summer, but his form Saturday continued his renaissance in the second half of the season.

Post-Match Reaction

"

Fb Messi: "Another step forward." [leomessi] pic.twitter.com/WlTsfxU4IA

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) May 9, 2015"

"

Video: Luis Enrique hearing players celebrate in dressing-room Valencia's 0-2 vs Madrid - "Guess this confirms it" http://t.co/Lt10TRvszd

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) May 9, 2015"

"

Neymar: "We did everything we could to win. We scored at the right moment and then we controlled the game." #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) May 9, 2015"