Lionel Messi, Barcelona Drop Points in 2-2 La Liga Draw vs. Real Sociedad

Barcelona collected a point after a 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad on Saturday in La Liga.

A 12th-minute penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal gave the hosts the lead after Sergio Busquets fouled Diego Llorente, but Antoine Griezmann levelled for Barca seven minutes before half-time.

Luis Suarez gave the Blaugrana a 2-1 advantage just four minutes after the restart, with Lionel Messi creating the assist.

Alexander Isak's 62nd-minute strike gave La Real a deserved equaliser, and a share of the points was a fair result.

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The hosts were quickly into their stride during the opening stages, and they were rewarded early in the match. Llorente drew a foul from Busquets in the penalty box, giving the Basque team the opportunity to lead.

Oyarzabal was calm as he stepped up to the spot, and the Spain international sent Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way, slotting his effort into the opposite corner.

Sociedad were forced to defend immediately after as the champions quickly hunted an equaliser.

La Real 'keeper Alex Remiro denied Suarez when the Uruguayan combined with Griezmann after 15 minutes. The Catalans were in the ascendancy, but Sociedad remained dangerous, retaining possession and looking for a second.

However, it was Griezmann who once again combined with Suarez, and the French superstar lifted the ball over Remiro after a counter-attack. Barca would have been satisfied being level at half-time, and they quickly took the lead at the start of the second half.

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Busquets' pass freed Messi as he attacked, and the icon laid the ball off to Suarez for a simple finish. Barca then searched for a third to kill off the game, but to Sociedad's credit, they never looked beaten.

Adnan Januzaj came off the bench for the home side to add flair to the attack, and the former Manchester United winger provided a fresh dimension.

The Basques earned their equaliser shortly after the hour mark. Nacho Monreal was found by Oyarzabal's pass, and the full-back's cross was deflected by Ter Stegen into Isak's path for a tap-in.

Januzaj continued to cause issues until the final whistle, but it was Barca's Ivan Rakitic who nearly stole the points for the leaders with a long-range shot. Overall, Barca had less possession than their opponents, and Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil would have been pleased with how his side stifled the Blaugrana's typical passing game.

What's Next

Barca take on Real Madrid in El Clasico on Wednesday at the Camp Nou, with the Spanish giants battling for supremacy in La Liga. Sociedad are back in league action on Dec. 22 when they visit Osasuna.