Barcelona player ratings vs Real Sociedad: Ronald Araujo with the robbery! Stoppage-time stunner overshadows anonymous attack in undeserved victory

The Blaurgana left it late to secure victory in San Sebastian as they just about bounced back from defeat in El Clasico

A Ronald Araujo header in second-half stoppage-time rescued victory for Barcelona after a dire showing against Real Sociedad. The Uruguayan’s goal served as a stark contrast to an otherwise miserable Blaugrana showing, and helped Xavi’s side snag three fortunate points with a 1-0 win.

The home side almost took the lead inside 30 seconds, forcing Marc-Andre ter Stegen into an impressive diving stop early on. Barca’s keeper was called upon again 15 minutes later, this time denying Take Kubo — who was excellent throughout — at the near post.

La Real had further chances throughout the contest, but a lack of incisiveness in front of goal, combined with a series of impressive stops from Barca’s goalkeeper, prevented them from finding the net.

Barca, for their part, failed to create much. Robert Lewandowski was a peripheral presence in his return to the starting XI, and touched the ball just 12 times in a miserable 57 minutes of action. It is perhaps a product of his team’s lack of control that he was unable to get into the game.

But that mattered little in the end. Araujo delivered the crucial blow in the 92nd minute, ghosting into the box and nodding Ilkay Gundogan’s angled ball home — snatching a thoroughly undeserved three points.