Barcelona: The Comeback King of Europe’s Big Five Leagues

Match Recap

Barcelona proved they can turn games around, defeating Real Sociedad 2-1 in a tense La Liga clash at the Olympic Luis Companys Stadium to grab three crucial points.

The visitors struck first in the 31st minute through Álvaro Odrízola, taking a surprise lead.

Jules Koundé delivered the equalizer just before the break (43’), courtesy of a smart assist from Marcus Rashford.

In the second half, Lamine Yamal returned from injury in the 58th minute, replacing Roney Bardji, and just a minute later delivered a magical cross that Robert Lewandowski headed home in the 59th minute for the winner.

With the win, Barça climbed to 19 points, one clear of Real Madrid, while Real Sociedad remained on 5 points in 17th place.

Opta notes Barça have collected nine points from behind to win in the La Liga campaign so far this season, the most in Europe’s top five leagues.

Squawka adds that Marcus Rashford has directly influenced five goals across Barça’s last five games in all competitions, with two goals and three assists.

Barcelona’s victory comes as Atlético Madrid routed Real Madrid 5-2 at the Metropolitano, a result that temporarily reshuffles the championship pecking order. Real Madrid’s two goals were scored by Kylian Mbappé (25’) and Arda Güler (36’).

Atlético’s five goals marked their biggest league win over Madrid in years, matching a dominant run against the capital club. Real Madrid dropped to 18 points, while Atlético rose to 12 points in fourth place.

Looking ahead, Barcelona will face Paris Saint‑Germain on Wednesday at the Olympic Stadium in the second group-stage match of the Champions League. Barça had opened their European campaign with a home win against Newcastle United, with Marcus Rashford scoring twice and Anthony Gordon scoring for Newcastle.

Paris Saint‑Germain had beaten Atalanta 4-0 at the Parc des Princes, with goals from Marquinhos, Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, and Gonzalo Ramos. PSG remain Chelsea? Not, PSG won the European title already last season, beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.

Barcelona, meanwhile, were eliminated by Inter Milan in last season’s semifinals after a 3-3 aggregate draw and a dramatic extra-time 4-3 win for Inter, despite Barça briefly leading the tie 3-3 on away goals. Barcelona hopes to defend last season’s domestic treble with a strong run in Europe this year.

Barça’s last Champions League title came in 2015, defeating Juventus 3-1 under coach Luis Enrique, who is now in Paris with PSG.

In short, the remontada machine is back in business—just in time for a busy fixture schedule and perhaps another continental tilt. And if comebacks were currency, Barça would be printing money right now.