Barcelona complete turnaround to extend unbeaten run

Having gone 2-0 down in the first half, it seemed like the Catalans were in for another unavailing trip to Anoeta, a stadium were they had failed to win since May 2007, and they were made to work for the three points..

A breathless start at Anoeta had the hosts take the lead with their first shot of the game, Willian Jose heading Xabi Prieto's cross into the ground and beyond the despairing dive of Ter Stegen. The Brazilian striker remained a constant nuisance for Barcelona's back line throughout the entire fixture, fending off challenges and drawing fouls in a great show of his power and strength.

He had the ball in the net again just before the half-hour mark, but it did not count as the referee's whistle had blown for a foul from either Jose himself or Zurutuza. Ivan Rakitic went to ground under no apparent contact before Jose's deflected strike wrong-footed Ter Stegen.

The crowd were left fuming over the decision but they didn't have to wait long to see a second goal. Sergio Canales chipped a delightful ball in behind the defence for Juanmi to fortuitously fire home with the help of a ricochet off Sergi Roberto.

Real Sociedad were justly rewarded for a sensational display but it did not last long as the second goal seemed to finally spark a reaction from the Catalans. Barcelona completed arguably their worst 45 minutes so far this season in the first half, but they have the quality up front to change a game in the blink of an eye. Goals either side of the break levelled the encounter and the hosts never quite recovered.

- Barcelona came back to win it -

Luis Suarez was the architect of the first goal as he sprinted in behind before squaring for Paulinho in the middle, and Rulli could not push it away despite getting a strong hand to his finish. The Uruguayan then netted brilliantly himself five minutes after the restart, curling a sublime chip up and over Rulli and into the far corner.

The game was played at a relentless pace and with the score level the rain began to lash down in San Sebastian. A header from Vermaelen sent the loose ball skidding across the sodden pitch towards Luis Suarez and the striker fired past Rulli at the near post.

The keeper then denied a venomous volley from Messi but was rooted to the spot moments later as the Argentine lined up a free-kick from some 30 yards and sent it majestically into the top corner. There was no coming back from that for the hosts, who put up a good fight but could not end Barcelona's unbeaten La Liga run.